SJB’s S.M. Marikkar questions the UNP’s announcements with regard timeframes for elections and says the Election Commission is the sole authority empowered to do so.
He was referring to a statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat which said the UNP’s management committee has decided to hold the presidential polls in September and the general election in January.
Marikkar told the media that a president without a people’s mandate or the UNP had no right to decide dates for elections.
Speaking further, he said incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe was certain to lose the upcoming elections.
He gave reasons for a general election to come first, claiming the SLPP is preparing to wash its hands off the president and leave the government.
“Then, a general election is a must with no one to accept the government,” he said.
At parliamentary polls, the SJB is confident of forming a government and as its prime minister, Sajith Premadasa will contest for the presidency, added the SJB MP.
