Economic Reforms, Science and Technology Minister Milinda Moragoda addressing a group of people from East Colombo who gathered at the ministry premises to wish him good bye said he, as a mark of respect for the attitude of the people towards him wants to resign from his portfolio and contest the forth coming general elections.

He said although he had decided earlier to contest the elections as an independent free person after handing over nominations under the UNF to contest the Colombo district, two reasons made him change his decision. One reason is the manner in which the President is acting against tradition in the face of a caretaker government and the other reason is the belief of the people that he would resign under the circumstances.

He meets his constituents every Thursday between 5.00 a.m. and 7.00 a.m. in his ministry and this was to be the last of such meetings. He further said that within two years a country could not be changed completely. When a strong foundation was being laid, the President decided to dissolve the Parliament.

Nobody asked for an election at this juncture. 80% of the people wanted the two parties to unite. The Prime Minister tried to achieve this but did not succeed. This election is a challenge and our objective is to form a strong government by obtaining a majority, he said.

Answering a question whether he is contesting the elections he said that in his letter he has informed the Prime Minister that he would contest.