President Maithripala Sirisena stated that he would ensure the continuity of the Unity Government till 2020, regardless of those who leave the Government.

He added that if anyone was claiming that the reigning Government would not last till 2020, they were most likely party to a conspiracy.

He made these comments during a meeting with the heads of media organisations and news editors, at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo this morning (30). The meeting was held for the purpose of discussing the 66th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

The President added that although the public was divided on the matter of the Unity Government, the economic challenges could not have been overcome if not for the Unity Government.

He recalled that the economic status and international reputation of the country had been in a sorry state when the Unity Government came into power back in 2015, and added that the previous government had held elections two years in advance as they could not face the imminent problems at the time.

Sirisena also stated he had strongly advised those who had attempted to disrupt the unity of the Unity Government, and explained that he would continue to do so to those who attempted to sabotage the Unity Government, regardless of their parties.

We have managed to democratically rule the country by strategically balancing pressures, threats and requests from foreign nations, in a way that does not threaten the sovereignty of our country, the President said.

He also raised the question: Had the outcome of the elections been different on January 08, 2015, where would the country be today?

Speaking on the future of the SLFP, President Sirisena stated that the future of the party would be ensured through the studying and learning of how past leaders such as S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike faced the challenges thrown in their way during their times.

He also advised politicians to win over the educated youth of the nation who were cynical of the political situation of Sri Lanka.

Speaking on corruption rates, the President said that the leaders of the country had provided a good example to government officials, resulting in the reduction of corruption in the country,  in the same manner a child emulates the behavior of his/her parents, and added that reducing incidence of corruption was by no means an easy feat.

When the media inquired into the delay in court cases, and whether former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe had also been ousted owing to said issue, the President explained that the decision to remove Rajapakshe from his ministerial portfolios had been taken collectively by the United National Party (UNP).