Govt spokesman rules out 2005 Presidential poll

CABINET Spokesman Nimal Siripala de Silva ruled out a Presidential Election in 2005, despite media claims and pressure from the UNP.

Responding to journalists' queries pertaining to the possibility of a Presidential Election this year, the Spokesman categorically denying such a possibility, saying the Elections Commissioner has not declared so, and the appointment of Mahinda Rajapakse as their Presidential Candidate has no correlation to it.

"The law is very clear that it should be held in 2006," he stressed.

He said the election campaign will be launched with immediate effect and a Committee will be appointed to formulate policies and issues on an assessment of the ground situation pertaining to the 2006 Presidential Election.

However, an accelerated Rata Perata programme will form the core of their campaign. Their first phase would be to bring together all progressive forces and political parties, inside and outside the Government, including the JVP and some members of the UNP among others, if possible.

"We will have a broad front," he added.

He refuted claims that Minister Anura Bandaranaike had laid out certain conditions on the nomination of Premier Mahinda Rajapakse as the Presidential candidate. "Not at all.

He had never requested President kumaratunga to nominate him as the Presidential Candidate. He took his own decision on his own free will, to appoint Rajapakse to defeat Ranil Wickremasinghe.

He referred to his longstanding friendship with Mahinda Rajapakse, since 1970," he added.

Referring to the future role of President Kumaratunga in the Party, he opined that her party leadership will remain and it is the will and vision of their party, to obtain her services, de Silva added.