The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will propose to hold a General Election before the Sinhala and Hindu New Year in April, reports say.
Reports cite that the SLPP is to table this proposal to Parliament this month if discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe to do so prove to be futile.
The measure follows the suggestion of several political bigwigs to seek the mandate of the public, reports say.
This mandate would be the decisive factor on whether the SLPP would contest the upcoming General Election alone or as an ally of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
In a backdrop where the SLPP financial condition has deteriorated, an opinion has also been aired to select a presidential candidate that is a non-Rajapaksa who can fund a presidential campaign.
It is also reported that a strongman of the Rajapaksa family has already informed that he is against such a candidate, saying that the possibility of a Rajapakse becoming the president will be completely hindered in the face of someone who is going to run the presidential election using drug smuggling money.
Elections only after govt. is 100% successful – Nalin
Meanwhile, Minister of Trade – Nalin Fernando says that although some have claimed 2024 to be a year of elections, a Presidential election or a General election will be called only after the government has emerged 100% successful.
Speaking at a media briefing held at his office in Ja-Ela, the minister had pointed out that the government will not go for an election in a disadvantageous situation.
