No presidential polls this year

Minister Sirisena

The Government will not have presidential elections this year, SLFP General Secretary and Agriculture and Agrarian Services Development Minister Maithreepala Sirisena said yesterday contradicting certain media, reports.

“The SLFP or coalition partners have not taken such a decision with regard to the Presidential election or Parliamentary election,” he said.

The Minister said the Southern Provincial Election will definitely be held this year as its mandated term ends next month.

“We have already selected candidates vying for the Southern Provincial Council election which is to be held this year,” he said.

Addressing the media at the Mahaweli Centre in Colombo, he said the term of the present Parliament would end in April 2010 and a General election will be held next year. He said the Government expects to introduce a people - friendly election manifesto for the parliamentary election next year and it is committed to fulfill pledged in the manifesto.