EXCLUSIVE: Basil Against Delaying Key National Elections

COLOMBO (News 1st); Basil Rajapaksa, founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), firmly opposes any attempts to postpone the country’s crucial national elections—the Presidential Election and the Parliamentary Election.

Rajapaksa expressed concern about the current government’s alignment. Despite being associated with the SLPP, he questioned whether the government truly operates under the party. 

Speaking exclusively to News 1st, Rajapaksa highlighted that only a select few cabinet ministers visit the SLPP office. These ministers primarily include District Leaders from Ratnapura, Matara, Galle, and Gampaha.

Notably, former minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who was once part of the SLPP, no longer holds a ministerial position, he said.

One of Rajapaksa’s key points is the need for a parliamentary election to precede any other electoral process. 

He believes that holding a Parliamentary Election after the Presidential Election would not accurately reflect the people’s reality.

"If a candidate secures the Presidential Election by even a single vote, their party gains power."

Rajapaksa deems this approach unwise. Instead, he advocates for prioritizing the parliamentary election, independent of the Presidential Poll. This aims to establish a balanced parliament, according to Basil Rajapaksa.

Reflecting on past events, Rajapaksa pointed out that following the 2019 Presidential Election, the General Election resulted in an SLPP victory with a commanding two-thirds majority. 

However, he cautioned against excessive concentration of power, adding that there exists an opinion that the presidency and a two-thirds majority should not coexist in the same place.

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