MR claims Sajith Premadasa's manifesto has attempts to create a federal system; Sajith strongly disagrees

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Presidential Candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Gotabaya Rajapaksa promised to implement the international charter on the disabled, in Hasalaka yesterday (November 5). The public rally which was held in the town of Hasalaka was organized by the organizer of the Udumbara electorate. Addressing the crowds gathered at this rally, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said:

"There are many individuals with special needs living in the urban and rural areas. When I initiated development in the cities, It was I who first introduced a system where those with special needs could walk along the pavement. We will implement the international charter in Sri Lanka as a government. In our manifesto, we will also uplift the artistes involved in our ancient traditions. We have plans for those type of important things in the country." 

Subsequently, the Leader of the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed this gathering. Leader of the SLPP Mahinda Rajapksa said

"When you look at the manifestos, the Sinhalese version says unitary , but the Tamil and English versions speaks of a federal system. In the recent past, Ranil Wickremesinghe rejected claims of his involvement in the drafting of the constitution that speaks of a federal system and fools everyone. He included the report that was compiled in parliament and Sumanthiran's statement was presented in English and Tamil. Thats why the Northern Province Chief Minister has made a statement saying he can't accept Sajith Premadasa's double standard way of doing things. The Sinhalese community is being fooled from one end, and the Tamil community is being fooled from the other end. They are hiding it from the Sinhalese community, while something entirely different is written in Tamil. You can't deceive people and obtain votes. Its a crime.

During a public rally in Thalathu Oya held yesterday (November 5), Presidential candidate of the New Democratic Front, Sajith Premadasa responded to the allegations made by the leader of the SLPP, Mahinda Rajapaksa on his manifesto. Speaking to the people, Sajith Premadasa said:

"The former president had made a statement today, and I must provide a response to this. As the future president, my responsibility is to create a unitary Sri Lanka, with maximum devolution of power. The former president is trying to place the federal crown on me. I would like to say this to Mahinda Rajapaksa: Do you remember how you and G. L. Pieris went overseas and promised the 13 plus. 13 plus means federal. He is the federal culprit. Sajith Premadasa has no federal system. I will never implement a federal system in this country. The only system we use is a Unitary Sri Lanka. There is nothing wrong with the term united. United does not mean federal. It is he who wants this united to be changed to a federal system. We are all aware, the former president has a fixation for a federal system. When he goes overseas, he speaks about the 13 plus. But when he comes to Sri Lanka he calls it 13 minus. So the people of this country knows whose playing this double game. I have no illegal businesses or dealings. I urge the former president, do not try to link me to false news reports. I am a leader who will ensure Sri Lanka will be a unitary state."

"I have presented a manifesto that will improve everyone, including the tuk driver, the businessmen, women and the war heroes. I urge everyone to read my manifesto properly. I pledge to fulfil all the promises I've made in the manifesto. Ranasinghe Premadasa's son will work hard to empower the poor. We will give priority to Buddhism in Sri Lanka and protect the Budhdha Shasanaya. We will respect all religions and communities, and create a unitary soverign state. On the 16th of November, we will place the crown on the small man."  During the same event, a group of provincial politicians of the SLFP pledged their support to the New Democratic Front.