By Dilrukshi Handunnetti
COLOMBO
Sri Lanka’s newly-elected president Maithripala Sirisena will not seek a second term, he said in his first speech since taking office Friday.
Sirisena, who took oath as the island’s sixth executive president in a simple ceremony at Independence Square in the capital, Colombo, pledged to dedicate his single term to introduce a value-based political culture, redefine the role of politicians and strengthen public institutions.
“I have been mandated to introduce a new agenda which is socio-economic and political. We presented a 100-day programme before the people and sought a mandate to fulfil certain tasks, all of which will be completed within that stipulated time,” Sirisena said, at a ceremonial venue packed with supporters of the many political parties under his Democratic National Front.
He said: “I am a single-term president and will not seek re-election. I will concentrate on addressing issues that remain unaddressed, to ensure a brighter tomorrow for the citizens, create opportunities for our youth and to ensure there is a new political future and a socio-economic order from which all can benefit.”
Ranil Wickremesinghe, the leader of the United National Party, the main constituent party of President Sirisena’s broad coalition, was also sworn in as Prime Minister.
President Sirisena also called for a politics rises above petty divisions and invoked the names of Sri Lanka's first Prime Minister Rt. Hon. D S. Senanayake and the founder of the Sri Lankan Freedom Party S.W.R.D. Badaranaike as examples for the good practices he would hope to follow.
He promised to prioritize a new foreign policy based on non-alignment principles and pledged to work with the international community and organizations alike.
