President Turns Down Request To Contest
President Maithripala Sirisena has turned down a request from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to contest for another term in office at the next Presidential election.
SLFP spokesman Dilan Perera told The Sunday Leader that the President was urged to seek re-election when the SLFP met last week with the President.
Sources said that the President had said that he would maintain his earlier decision not to seek re-election in 2020.
President Sirisena took office last year after contesting against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Sirisena contested on the mandate to bring about good governance and push for constitutional reforms, including abolishing the Executive Presidential system.
(AW)