Sri Lanka: Govt has Begun Talks with the Opposition for a Constitutional Change - Wimal Weerawansha

The common opposition candidate General Sarath Fonseka who contested the presidential elections had expected to poll 50.81%, the documents from UNP head office, Sirikotha had revealed, the National Freedom Front (JNP) leader Wimal Weerawansha told t yesterday in a media briefing in Colombo.

Addressing the media, in his party office at Battaramulla, he said that their expectation was a 50.81% of votes. “In any case if it was around 49 or 48 percents, they had a nasty plan to oust the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksha and take the regime by force. That was the secret behind booking over 60 to 70 rooms in two hotels nearby the Presidential Secretariat and the Temple Trees”, Parliamentarian Weerawansha revealed.

“Their plan was to bring the people on to roads and put the country in tense situation charging that the malpractices have taken place in the elections. Fortunately, the people of this country had taken the right decision to stop the United National Party and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna backed General Fonseka on 40 percent of voter turnout”, Weerawansha further added.

He also emphasized that President Rajapaksha’s record breaking 17.73 percentages majority votes safeguarded the country. He further said that a former President’s Secretary had also dialed the President’s Secretariat on January 26th evening had asked an assistant secretary there to make the necessary arrangements to take oaths by General Fonseka next day evening.

Weerawansha further added that now he is dreaming about a general election. “He still has not realized that he was defeated even in his own village located in Ambalangoda”, the parliamentarian added. Speaking further about the general elections he admitted that with the significant victory of the presidential elections, they have lot of chances to increase their popularity and votes at general elections due in a shorter period.

“Receiving one third majority in the Parliament is an easy task for the United Peoples Freedom Alliance under this situation. Anyway, UPFA has already started discussions with the opposition to support for a constitutional change. We need only another 19 seats and if they come forward to support it is welcome, otherwise the Parliament will be dissolved by the President and go for fresh elections seeking a new mandate and two third majority”, Weerawansha said.

Questioned over the progress of the discussions with the Opposition, MP Weerawansha said “Talks just began and we are talking with the party leaders these days”.
At the same time, he also said that the executive presidency will be abolished at the end of the President's second term and it will be transformed into a care-taker position.

- Asian Tribune -