Former President Maithripala Sirisena who claimed himself as a a thoroughbred political animal since his days of being a Grama Sevaka is now aiming a return to local political arena by contesting the upcoming general election under the alliance headed by SLPP.
Sirisena’s aim is to become the next speaker of parliament after winning the Pollonnaruwa electorate with the support of the SLPP, SLFP stalwart and former minister A.H.M. Fowzie disclosed.
He added that SLFP senior members are misleading Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on the directions of Maithripala Sirisena self proclaimed political animal stating that his party has a 1.3 million vote base.
Displaying his ungratefulness, SLFP Leader Maithripala Sirisena has expelled Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike from the post of SLF organiser of the Attanagalle electorate, he pointed out.
He noted that it is unbecoming for Sirisena to take such an ungrateful decision as Madam Bandaranaike was instrumental in bringing Srisena to presidency by influencing the UNP to nominate him as a common candidate in 2015, Fowzie said.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Mirror newspaper, Sirisena said that he feels the need to engage in active politics to find solutions to today’s problems and in the interests of the country’s future.
On the other hand, he added that he is fit both physically and mentally and those who are older than himself have been in politics.
He expressed belief that he processed the competence to serve the country further and he is also a political animal.
“I cannot remain indoors merely because my presidential term is now over. I wish to make maximum use of my vast political knowledge and experience to serve the country and its people” he said.
(LI)