Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
- Octopus
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Join date : 2014-11-27
Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
Nov 26 (DW) The announcement by Maithripala Sirisena on November 21 came as a blow to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had declared the previous day that he would seek an unprecedented third term as president and called a snap election. The vote is scheduled to take place in early January.
Talking to reporters at a press conference, Sirisena said "one family has taken control of the economy, power and the party.
The country is moving towards a dictatorship." The former minister, who previously also held the position of general secretary of Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), has been backed by the main opposition party the United National Party (UNP), as well as many of Rajapaksa's rivals.
Although the president still has wide public support, internal tensions within the ruling party have seen backing for his leadership decline.
There have also been allegations President Rajapaksa has used his position to give friends and family members jobs in high-ranking government and bureaucratic institutions.
Nira Wickramasinghe, South Asia expert at Leiden University in the Netherlands, says in a DW interview that Rajapaksa's decision to call a snap election comes at a time when his support base is getting dangerously low. She says Sirisena has a good chance of becoming the country's next leader.
DW: What are the reasons behind Maithripala Sirisena's decision to challenge President Rajapaksa?
Nira Wickramasinghe: Sirisena's main intention is to abolish the executive presidency in 100 days. In addition, he wants to restore the 17th amendment [making the police, elections, public service and the judicial service commissions fully independent] and repeal the 18th amendment [changes in term limits for re-elections of the president].
Sirisena has also said he will hand over the post of prime minister to the current leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe, if he were to win the election.
His decision to challenge President Rajapaksa is very important. Sirisena is a person who can rally votes not only from the opposition but also from segments within the ruling coalition. He has a broad partnership with governmental leaders.
- slstockVeteran
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Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
- Octopus
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Join date : 2014-11-27
Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
and freedom of speech and posts.
- NC`Top contributor
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Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
Octopus wrote:I crossed over as same as My3 for sake of democracy, Law and order.
and freedom of speech and posts.
- sereneTop contributor
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Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
Octopus wrote:I crossed over as same as My3 for sake of democracy, Law and order.
and freedom of speech and posts.
Welcome mate.
- sashimaalTop contributor
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Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
- sereneTop contributor
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Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
NC` wrote:Octopus wrote:I crossed over as same as My3 for sake of democracy, Law and order.
and freedom of speech and posts.
Welcome NC.
- chinwiTop contributor
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Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
NC` wrote:Octopus wrote:I crossed over as same as My3 for sake of democracy, Law and order.
and freedom of speech and posts.
Why are you smiling ?
Same reason ?
- Octopus
- Posts : 77
Join date : 2014-11-27
Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
chinwi wrote:NC` wrote:Octopus wrote:I crossed over as same as My3 for sake of democracy, Law and order.
and freedom of speech and posts.
Why are you smiling ?
Same reason ?
More to cross over.. in near future "Eliwena Yameta honda honda sellam"
Senasuru Maruwa
- sereneTop contributor
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Join date : 2014-02-26
Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
Octopus wrote:chinwi wrote:NC` wrote:Octopus wrote:I crossed over as same as My3 for sake of democracy, Law and order.
and freedom of speech and posts.
Why are you smiling ?
Same reason ?
More to cross over.. in near future "Eliwena Yameta honda honda sellam"
Senasuru Maruwa
"Sumaneta wagema thawa kata hari weradila wage"
- BackstageTop contributor
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Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
- poor boyActive Member
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Join date : 2014-10-09
Re: Ex-minister to pose 'serious challenge' to SL President
Welcome,
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