President Mahinda Rajapaksa proclaimed that he will seek a fresh mandate in accordance with Article 31 (3a) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and this has been duly gazetted (Gazette Notification No. 1629/8/20091123).

Article 31 (3a) states:

“Not withstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding provisions of this Chapter (Chapter VII - The Executive Ed), the President may, at any time after the expiration of four years from the commencement of his first term of office, by Proclamation, declare his intention of appealing to the people for a mandate to hold office, by election, for a further term.”

The Elections Commissioner is thereby empowered to set a deadline for nominations as well as the date of the Presidential Election.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has emphasised to the party leaders in the alliance yesterday (23) at Temple Trees, that as a Government which had fulfilled the aims of the people, they can on go before them at any time and the Government succeeded in discharging a massive part of the work vested in it for six years, within four years.

The President opined that a majority had requested for a Presidential poll. Today, they are requesting for power as he was confident of permanent peace and a developed country which can compete in the world. As such, in a democratic country, it is only through a poll that politics in the country should be changed. Democracy should be safeguarded.

As the Government succeeded in liberating the motherland from terrorism, the President pointed out that all progressive forces should unite to strengthen the programme of building the country. Also, the President was confident that all these progressive forces would discharge their duties and responsibilities properly.