The President was addressing the inaugural meeting of a fresh initiative to unite the party held at Dambadeniya in the Kurunegala electoral District.

In an obvious reference to ongoing bring-back-Mahinda campaign, President Maithripala Sirisena said that if the people’s aspirations could be met a Prime Minister could emerge from any part of the country. Stressing that he hadn't reached any agreement or understanding with any political party or group, President Maithripala Sirisena said that there could be a new Prime Minister from the SLFP. The President said that S.B. Navinna could emerge from Kurunegala, John Seneviratne from Ratnapura, Nimal Siripala De Silva from Badulla or Kumara Welgama from Kalutara as the next Prime Minister.

Recollecting the sacrifices made by the founder leader of the SLFP Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, President Maithripala Sirisena stressed that he was committed to the polices of the slain leader and wouldn't hesitate to carry them out regardless of obstacles.

President Maithripala Sirisena said that he had an understanding with like-minded political parties and groups to guide the country along the correct path. Therefore, there was absolutely no basis for assertion that he had an agreement with the UNP, the President said.

The President asserted that had he dissolved the Parliament immediately after the Jan.8 presidential election, the SLFP-led UPFA would have suffered a debilitating defeat and a very strong UNP administration would have been elected. Instead, measures had been taken to introduce the 19 Amendment as well as electoral reforms to facilitate the anticipated transformation of the country, he added.

Later in the day, addressing another rally at Minneriya, President Maithripala Sirisena declared that once he completed his five-year term, he would return to Polonnaruwa as their beloved leader.

The President said that he did not like to see two major parties fighting with each other.

(The Island)