NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that if he wins the upcoming Presidential Election, he will not convene Parliament as scheduled on October 8 but will instead call for a general election first. Speaking at a rally in Maradankadawala, Dissanayake said that the NPP plans to dissolve Parliament and govern the country according to the Constitution for one and a half months until the general election is held.
“Parliament was convened on September 3, marking the last session for over 150 MPs. If I am elected, Parliament will not meet on October 8 as scheduled but only after a general election. This time, more than 150 MPs will not be re-elected, and the NPP aims to form a government with a two-thirds majority,” Dissanayake stated.
He also addressed the opposition’s reaction to the NPP’s growing momentum, noting that key opposition figures were strategizing to avoid defeat. He referred to SJB MP Thalatha Athukorala’s recent resignation, who cited disunity between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa as a reason for the NPP’s rise. Additionally, Arundika Fernando’s decision to serve as an independent MP was mentioned as an effort to push for a united front to counter the NPP.
“The opposition is in disarray, with Ranil saying that votes for Sajith are votes for Anura, and Sajith claiming that votes for Ranil are for Anura. We want to make it clear that we don’t need votes through others. We urge the people to vote directly for the ‘Malimawa’ (compass),” Dissanayake added.
