All powers will be nothing if Parliament doesn't vote- President

(September 06, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today the Supreme Court's decision if the 18th Amendment requires a Referendum of the People is now with the Speaker and will be told to Parliament when it meets.

Speaking to publishers and editors of the National Press this morning, the President said that the sweeping amendments the Government was introducing did not give him unlimited powers. He said all the powers he has will be nothing if Parliament doesn't vote or the people reject him at the next election.

He said that sufficient consultsation has been had on the matter and that the decision to proceed with these amendments was made after an informal meeting of government MPs at Beruwela recently.

Asked how many times he would keep contesting, he said in lighter vein, "till the Opposition finds a suitable candidate".

Asked specifically if he was grooming his son to take over from him, and if he was going to stick on in office till then, the President said "this is not a 100 metre race - this is a marathon. I have been in politics for 40 years to get here. Those who try to take short-cuts fall by the wayside".