Lankan President invites all political parties to form national government

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has invited all political parties represented in parliament to join him to form a national unity government.

Addressing the nation from the historic Paththirippuwa of the Temple of Tooth in Kandy on Sunday, President Sirisena said he intends to obtain the support of all political parties to establish a country with good governance, democracy and rule of law for the future of the people and the country.

He also pledged to implement the 100-day plan as presented in his policy manifesto and transfer the power of the executive presidency to the parliament, cabinet and independent commissions.

He requested, according to the Lanka Page web site, all parties to join him in ensuring good governance, democracy, development and to eradicate poverty.

The President, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and other political leaders travelled to Kandy in a motorcade and on the way they stopped at the Bandaranaike monument in Horagolla to pay respects to the late Prime Minister and founder of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike.

The President along with other leaders and supporters paid homage to the Temple of the Tooth Relic and met with the Chief Prelates of Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters before addressing the nation.

Meanwhile in a separate development, President Maithreepala Sirisena has been elected as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

The SLFP Politbureau has taken this decision at a meeting held in the party headquarters this evening, national radio reported.

Former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga have been elected as patrons of the party.