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by Ranga Jayasuriya and Asanga Warnakulasuriya

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday called on the people to strengthen the "President's hand" and to set up a "people's Government".

He said the PA is ready to set up a Government, "anytime when it is invited by the President".

"The President has unprecedented powers vested in her by JR's Constitution and she will protect people from any adverse government move," he said calling upon the people to rally around her.

Speaking at the Opposition protest rally at Nugegoda, he said the Supreme Court ruling nullifying the Constitutional validity of the 19th Amendment is a victory for the independent judiciary.

The Government's privatisation programme, Rajapakse warned, would jeopardise economic sovereignty.

Former Speaker Anura Bandaranaike said the President would call elections only when she is convinced that the PA is capable of wining the elections.

"She will rally all progressive groups around her and would call elections only when the PA is capable of winning elections". There are a number of Government MPs disappointed with the UNP leadership, Bandaranaike said, adding they would join the Opposition at the "proper time".

"The day when the President uses her powers will come soon."

SLFP Secretary Maithripala Sirisena said the UNP "honeymoon" was over adding that the PA would set up a Government without going for elections.

"If Ranil Wickremesinghe does not command a majority in Parliament, the President would ask the PA to set up a Government."

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