NPM Presidential candidate ex-Army Chief Senanayake pledges to reform legal framework in the country

Former Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake today (Sept 29) pledged to introduce a common law in the country, after being nominated as the Presidential candidate of the National People's Movement (NPM).

“The outdated legal framework must be reformed,” he said during a rally of the NPM - a collective of civil organisations comprising professionals, at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.

In his first address as Presidential candidate, the former army chief stressed the need for legal and constitutional reforms and also ensuring national security.

Senanayake, who served 37 years in the military, emphasised that national security could be maintained through peace and harmony, and by eliminating political interference from taking legal action against law breakers.

“A majority of the politicians are involved in all crimes committed in the country,” he alleged while pointing out that such interference should be eliminated for the betterment of the country.

If voted into power, Senanayake said, he would introduce an export oriented economy and ensure that the country’s sovereignty is not infringed by world powers.

“We (Sri Lankans) don’t understand the power of the country in terms of its resources. Sadly, it is only powerful countries who understand the country’s worth,’ he said.

The former army chief reiterated that the efforts to rebuild the country and preserve it for the future generations could only be implemented through an alternative political system which replaces traditional party politics.