United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarians backing the nomination of Minister Sajith Premadasa as the Presidential candidate of the UNP led political alliance, at a press conference held at the Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s residence last evening, requested the party hierarchy to summon the UNP Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group at once, and take a decision on the Presidential candidate.
Non-Cabinet Minister of Digital Infrastructure and Information Technology Ajith P. Perera said that both leader of the party, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and the General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam had previously given the undertaking to do so, two months back.
He said the constituent parties of the UNF requested as the UNP if there is any doubt on this methodology, then all 107 MPs of the UNF should meet and take a decision to select the Presidential Candidate.
He said the constituent parties of the United National Front (UNF) requested that if there is any doubt on this methodology, then all 107 MPs of the UNF should meet and take a decision to select the Presidential Candidate.
Perera said “our proposal is that the UNP Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group should meet and sort out this issue. “He also claimed that at present all constituent parties of the UNP led political alliance have informed UNP Leader Prime Minister that they all would extend their support to Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming Presidential Election.
He further said that Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Minister Rauff Hakeem, on Friday, categorically stated his view.
“This is a clear testimony that all constituent parties of the UNP extend their support to Sajith Premadasa. At present we have only one tradition to be fulfilled.
That is the UNP should officially meet and approve the motion of fielding Sajith Premadasa as the Presidential candidate,” Perera said.
Meanwhile UNP General Secretary Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told media yesterday that UNP led political alliance candidate for the upcoming presidential election will be announced during this week. Minister Kariyawasam said he strongly believes that they will be able to announce the candidate and their strategy to win the election.
Speaking to the media following the meeting at Temple Trees yesterday, the Minister said the UNP Working Committee and parliamentary group will take the decision on who will be the party candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election.
Responding to questions, the UNP General Secretary said there is no plan to appoint new members to the UNP Working Committee. Although there are a number of spots to be filled in the Working Committee, there is no need at this juncture, he said.