Sajith says will appoint "new Prime Minister" under his rule

Ruling party presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa today (Nov 7) said he would appoint a "new Prime Minister" whom he feels can command the majority in Parliament, once voted into power.

"I will not include any individual accused of corruption in my ministerial cabinet," the New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate said in a special address to the nation.

His remarks came after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe recently told reporters that he will continue to remain in his position, during Premadasa’s tenure as President.

The NDF candidate emphasised that he would appoint a cabinet comprising young and skilled individuals who would publicly declare their assets and liabilities, during his term in office.

He said he would conduct the parliamentary election at “the earliest”, and appoint a “stable government”, that would see professionals and women entering Parliament through the national list.

“Nepotism and the old corrupt political system should end. Authoritarian politics which sees individuals clinging onto power by use of force or violence should end,” Premadasa stressed.

The NDF candidate said he believes that appointing investigation committees, making promises, and spending large amounts of wealth, cannot end the corrupt political system.

“The solution for that is to change the individuals in power, and the manner in which power is used,” Premadasa opined.

He vowed to create a "social revolution" in the country while preventing political appointments to state bodies, and barring politicians from engaging in business activities using political power.