Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena hints of seeking re-election

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday hinted of seeking re-election saying that he will not retire in 2020 as there is more work to be done in the country.

Addressing May day rally of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) at Batticaloa in eastern province, the President said that these days social media is awash with posts saying he is retiring in 2020 but he won’t. His comments assume significance as there are talks of ending the executive Presidency and bringing back parliamentary system in the country.

Also, Sirisena had asserted not to enter electoral politics again after his election in 2015 with support of United National Party (UNP) led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe.

However, UNP is likely to put up its own candidate for next Presidential elections as the tensions between the two national parties have increased despite both of them joining the national unity government. Both are facing challenge from Joint opposition led by former President Mahinda Rajapakse.

The Sri lankan president also stated that his government is dedicated to strengthen national reconciliation adding that they have failed to implement a clear process that builds trust within all communities to prevent the reoccurrence of a war in this country. He stated that problems cannot be solved though war or guns and that they can only be resolved through humanity.