(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The defected health minister vowed to wipe out nepotism corruption and the abuse of the rule of law.
Following the defection of the ruling party’s general-secretary and his surprise announcement as common presidential candidate for the upcoming presidential elections Maithripala Sirisena has vowed to abolish the executive presidency 100 days after he becomes president.
“Vote for me at the upcoming election. I will abolish the executive presidency within 100 days of election” Maithripala Sirisena the defected Health Minister under President Rajapaksa’s government told reporters.
Former presidents as well as president Rajapaksa came into power on the same promise of abolishing the executive presidency that gives wide powers to the president.
“One family took control of the entire government” charged Sirisena. “The country is heading towards a dictatorship.”
“Corruption is rampant there is no rule of law. The truth has been suppressed” said Sirisena on Friday.
Backed by the main opposition the United National Party and former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge Sirisena vowed to wipe out “nepotism corruption and the abuse of the rule of law.”
“They (The Rajapaksa family) have ruined this country that is now engulfed in corruption and blatant abuse of power. It is against this that I am coming forward as the common candidate of the opposition” said Sirisena.
President Rajapaksa who called for an early election has been criticised for abuse of power and controlling the country and its economy through his family. One of his brothers is the speaker of the parliament another the minister of economic development and the youngest the powerful defence secretary who is also in charge of urban development.
Talking to a gathering on Friday a shaken Rajapaksa dismissed the idea of an opposition win in the presidential polls scheduled for January 8.
“They’ve taken a man from my ranks because they couldn’t find anyone capable of standing for a presidential election from their own” said Rajapaksa. -newskhaleejtimes.com
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