"The next Prime Minister should be someone who loves the country" - President

Colombo (News1st) - President Maithripala Sirisena has said that the Presidential elections will be held on the scheduled date "and not a single day ahead of schedule". The President added that if an election is to be held prior to the scheduled date, the decision will be made by him. Regarding the recent SLPP protest, the SLPP says the protest was "successful and a victory" while the UNP says that the SLPP is "bankrupt. The President noted that both the UNP and the SLPP representatives have over-estimated the situation. Speaking on the upcoming election, President Sirisena added that "neither the Flower bud party nor the UNP can form a government without us (SLFP)". The President added that during the next election, the attention should be focused on the Prime Minister and not the President. "The next Prime Minister should be someone who loves the country and who respects the culture of the country. He should know about the history of our country. The country needs a Prime Minister who is honest and free of fraud and corruption.", said President Maithripala Sirisena.

Fmr. President responds

When questioned on the President's statement on the election dates, fmr. President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the President is doing the wise thing, admitting that he "made a mistake" by calling for elections two years ahead of schedule. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa made this comment while visiting Parliamentarian Johnston Fernando who was taken into remand custody recently at the remand prison in Kegalle.