Political analysts say that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has become the common candidate in this year’s Presidential Election (PE) as he has already gained the majority support of many major political parties representing Parliament.
The resolution to support President Wickremesinghe, who is contesting as an independent candidate in the PE, was passed by majority vote in the Central Committee of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) which met on August 1 under the patronage of its leader Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
Ninety two MPs, including senior members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), have pledged to work for President Wickremesinghe’s victory in the upcoming Presidential Election. The Ministers said that many MPs who left the SLPP and became independent have now joined their group.
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Politburo and Central Committee, which met on July 31, have also decided to support President Wickremesinghe in this year’s Presidential Election. The Chairman of the party, Ports and Shipping Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and the party’s General Secretary, MP Duminda Dissanayake, had said that only President Wickremesinghe had made a written request for their support for the Presidential Election campaign.
Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) led by Minister Douglas Devananda and the National Congress led by MP A.L.M. Athaullah have also agreed to support President Wickremesinghe in the election. Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) Leader Minister Jeevan Thondaman said that since President Wickremesinghe is a leader who has focused on the demands of the estate people, they have decided to support him in this Presidential Election.
United National Party (UNP) Chairman MP Wajira Abeywardena said that the hope of all UNP party members is the victory of President Wickremesinghe and party members are rallying at the village level. Many grassroots supporters fed up with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the National People’s Power are also lining up behind the UNP and President Wickremesinghe to ensure his victory.
