MR ready to sacrifice two years of term

May hold presidential and general elections together

By Sandun A. Jayasekera

Addressing the 7th National Convention of the SLFP affiliated Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya at Temple Trees yesterday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, expressed his readiness to forego two years of his six year term and hold the presidential election early.

He said that he would declare the exact position on this at the SLFP convention on November 15..

He ruled out the possibility of holding the general elections first. He said that either the presidential election would be held first or the presidential and parliamentary elections would be held concurrently. He said that, in either case, the elections would be held in the first quarter of 2010.

President Rajapaksa asked those present to raise their hands if they wanted the presidential election held first and almost all of them raised their hands. Nobody responded when asked to raise their hands if they favoured general elections.

There had been requests to hold both elections on the same day, and the government had to consider that request as well, he said.

Then there was a chorus of voices calling for both elections to be held on the same day. Some members were heard to say that they could not pin their hopes on the general elections.

There are only four more months more. I will declare the exact position on November 15th at the SLFP convention. I will consult the entire membership on that day. I am ready to give up my last two years on behalf of the people if that is what the membership wants. I will consult Provincial Councillors and Pradeshiya Sabha members before making the final decision, said President Rajapaksa.

President Rajapaksa was re-elected as the president of the SLNSS. The other office bearers for the next three years are as follows:

General Secretary -- Agriculture and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

Secretary -- Lesley Devendra.

Treasurer -- Noel Padmasiri Kariyawasam.

An Executive Committee comprising 11 members -- representing semi-government and state owned enterprises, the private and estate sectors, and women -- was also elected unanimously.

There were no congratulatory messages or representations yesterday from parties that support the government -- in contrast to the previous National Conventions of the SLNSS.