In an interview with BBC Sinhala Service after the SLPP won a strong victory at the local government polls, he said he was very
happy with the election outcome, as the people have now come to understand the mistake they made on 08 January 2015.
In order the save the country and the administration from instability, he said he would seek a public mandate for a strong government.
What should be done now?
Agreement of political parties could change the 19th amendment to the constitution that does not allow the president to dissolve parliament until 4 ½ years elapse from a general election, he said.
That is what the current government should do now, said Rajapaksa.
Responding to a claim by minister Rajitha Senaratne that the January 08 public mandate has become stronger, as the SLPP has polled nearly 45 per cent of the votes cast, the ex-president said the minister should be dreaming.
He accused the media of keeping silent over the government’s failed promise to abolish the executive presidency.
When asked if he had violated party discipline by supporting the SLPP election campaign while being a patron of the SLFP, he charged that it was president Maithripala Sirisena who had violated party policies.
He claimed that the present central committee of the SLFP was illegal, and added that he was not the leader of the SLPP.
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http://www.srilankamirror.com/news/7166-mahinda-says-will-fight-for-a-general-election
