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Last Updated : 2024-04-19 07:40:00
The United National Party (UNP) had enough alternate candidates to field at the next Presidential Election if the present party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe declined to contest, Government MP Thusara Indunil Perera said yesterday.
He told a media briefing that his party had several alternative candidates to field, unlike the Joint Opposition, which solely depended on the members of the Rajapaksa family.
“The UNP could always field Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa as the candidate and put forward Minister Navin Dissanayake if Mr Premadasa refuses to contest.
“The party can also consider Harin Fernando, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam or even Ruwan Wijewardene if all three seniors, namely Mr Wickremesinghe, Mr Premadasa and Mr Dissanayake refuse to contest,” he said.
“One cannot understand as to why the Joint Opposition is depending on either former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa or on Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa,” he said.
“We would like to question whether the Joint Opposition has no other candidate other than the Rajapaksas,” he said.
Responding to a question raised by journalists as to whether the Prime Minister had expressed his willingness to contest at the Presidential Election, the MP said the party had not discussed the matter yet.
He said the usual practice was that the party leader becomes the candidate at a Presidential Election. However, he said the UNP had many candidates if the need be.
Meanwhile, the UNP MP said his party did not oppose to the arrest of Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera and neither would it oppose the granting of bail.
“We hope that the Venerable Thera will develop a mature mindset,” he said. (Yohan Perera)
Manel Wednesday, 27 June 2018 04:12 AM
The fact about JO is that only Rajapaksas who have loads of ill gotten money can spend on an election campaign.
sugath Wednesday, 27 June 2018 05:21 AM
Mr Ranil wickremasinghe should now step down,his term has long gone,people are now fed up of Ranil,and he is extremely unpopualr and has done nothing substantial for the UNP for the country at allSajith would be candidate for presidency,he is aloyal hardworking far thinking than the wickremasinghe ,no point appointing dead wood as a leaderRanil must now step down as the leader78% of the IUNP and the entire counrty agree with this
Dils Wednesday, 27 June 2018 05:46 AM
Only candidate is RW who will not step down and this time he will extend his record of most loosing candidate. You guys let us all down by not fulfilling the promises.
Fedi Wednesday, 27 June 2018 12:42 PM
Dont forget, RW may get SP to contest and he can be executive PM for another 5 years.
DJ Wednesday, 27 June 2018 08:51 PM
Other than Saith there is no one else. The rest mentioned will sell our country
Namal Perera Wednesday, 27 June 2018 11:41 PM
UNP has no future if Ranil Wickramasinghe does not step down.
Namal Perera Thursday, 28 June 2018 01:16 AM
If Ranil Wickramasinghe does not step down, it will be the same fate, any Donkey can win.
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