Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was ready to contest the Provincial Council elections on its own at any time, but that the decision to hold the provincial council elections was not a decision of the People's Alliance but of the government, SLPP youth wing member Buddhika Wickramadara said addressing a press conference in Colombo today.

The statement came amidst reports claiming that the SLFP has threatened to quit the ruling coalition if the party members are subjected to harassment and ill-treatment. However, the timeline of the Provincial Council election is not yet clear, as a powerful section within the government are pushing for the postponement of the Provincial Council election.

He further stated that by now the government has made all arrangements to provide employment to 150,000 people. "We need Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to develop the country. we don't care where the investments are coming from as long as they don't harm the interests of Sri Lanka,"

He added that the President's programme to look into the needs of villages will continue along with former Minister Basil Rajapaksa's programme to expedite development work at the village level.

In addition, he said that career guidance programmes to groom the rural youth to fit into the needs of the fast-changing job market are already underway.

Wickremaradara further stated that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has already commenced a program to provide housing to all Sri Lankans within two to three years. "Parallel to this, land issues faced by the people will also be resolved by giving them title deeds," he added.