Maithripala Sirisena urges people to put aside party differences and support the new President

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Speaking with the SLFP supporters in Biso-Bandaragama, Medirigiriya today (February 2), Former president Maithripala Sirisena commented on the current situation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He said;

"Ranil Wickremesinghe and I had a conflict. That is no secret. That was a conflict on principles. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is also facing a similar situation. Why? because he doesn't have the power of the parliament. When I became president in 2015, the parliamentary power was held by Mahinda Rajapaksa. But he supported me for a year. The situation today is different. That is why the government has decided to dissolve the parliament in March and to hold an election at the end of April."

Sirisena further added;

"It is in the month of October that the SLFP decided to support Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It is thanks to the massive support of the SLFP that they were able to obtain a majority. Now the new president doesn't have the strength to take the country forward without a strong parliament. We must set aside these party differences and move forward."