Will contest Prez poll if I can win: PM

• If not, I will opt out  

By Yohan Perera and  Anjula Mahika Weeraratna

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday as the UNP leader who had protected the party during trying times, he would contest the upcoming presidential election if he was confident of winning and if otherwise would opt out.  

He said he held a myriad positions during his political career and and now at the age of 70 years it would not be difficult for him to opt out of politics.   

The Prime Minister said this at Temple Trees when he met a group of veteran UNPers from the Biyagama and Kelaniya electorates before leaving to Mannar for the inauguration of school buildings under ‘the best school is the closest school’ project. 

The Prime Minister recalled how he took over the party leadership at a time when its leaders passed away one after another and how resurrected the party during difficult times and added that it was his duty to ensure victory for the alliance to be set up his leadership.   

Some of the seniors were seen with watery eyes when listening to him recall his political journey.