Presidential candidate: Sajith loyalists meet to explore alternatives

By Kelum Bandara 

A group of UNP Ministers loyal to party deputy leader Sajith Premadasa held a special meeting at the parliamentary complex yesterday and explored the possibility of participating in the presidential election under an alternative arrangement since the party hierarchy is unlikely to nominate Mr. Premadasa, the Daily Mirror learns.   

Minister Kabir Hashim who is the UNP chairman called for this meeting which was attended by 60 government MPs.   

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said the candidate should be chosen through a vote at the government’s parliamentary group meeting.   
Higher Education Minister Rauff Hakeem who is also the leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) said it should not be left for the UNP Working Committee only to decide on the candidate. He said the UNP counted on his party and others to defeat the no confidence motions against the government. Therefore, he said alliance partners should not be disregarded in the selection of the presidential candidate.