UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha slammed President Maithripala Sirisena for his speech last evening, pointing out that Sirisena had called an election during a period where an examination was taking place, merely to save the Prime Minister. He also said there was no possibility of appointing Mahinda Rajapaksa through the national list, as claimed by the President.

 

The decision to hold the election during the G.C.E. A\L exam period has jeopardized the mindset of the students who sit for the exam, Premajayantha said at a press briefing at SLFP headquarters.

 

He added that the decision to appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chairman of UPFA Elections Committee was approved by President Sirisena. It was informed to Rajapaksa on July 3, Premajayantha said.

 

He also refuted Sirisena's allegation that the supporters of Rajapaksa were planning to bring the former president back to parliament through the national list. Rajapaksa did not contest the 2010 General Election and was not in the national list prepared for that election, Premajayantha said. Therefore, there was no possibility of him being appointed to the parliament, he also said.

 

Premajayantha also said that UPFA will win the upcoming election.