Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka says that those who are afraid of the forthcoming Local Government election are now submitting petitions.

Responding to questions from reporters following an event held at Pilapitiya in Kelaniya today (16), he claimed that it is the individuals contesting under the “flower bud” that are now behaving in that matter. 

However, the sole intention of the entire government including the President is to hold the election, the Minister for Regional Development said. 

Fonseka stated that postponing the election would be disadvantageous to the United National Party (UNP) and that the victory obtained by the government cannot be maintained for long as the people could forget the past very soon. 

Meanwhile the Chief Minister of the Western Province Isura Devapriya, who also participated in the event and spoke to reporters afterwards, stated that people have a right to file petitions and that right cannot be taken away from them. 

However, he added that as a government they are prepared to hold the election. The Chief Minister alleged that certain politicians representing the ‘Joint Opposition’ have made a promise to the Prime Minister to engage in a process to split the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Devapriya stated that the he will reveal information regarding that “deal” with the PM when the time is right. 

He stated that the SLFP will claim victory at this Local Government election as well as Maithripala Sirisena holds the posts of Executive President and leader of the party. 

He stated that no matter what anyone says it was President Maithripala Sirisena who created change in the country and not Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.