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UNP-SLPP main contenders in forthcoming poll: Ranil

8 June 2020 10:23 pm - 25     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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There will be only two main political parties to contest this year's general election, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told several UNP-led trade union members this morning at the party headquarters in Sirikotha.

“Only two main political parties will contest the general election. They are the UNP and the SLPP. This is what is called democracy. The UNP is the only party that contested all general elections in the country. We will contest this one too. Some suggested that we aim to become the main opposition at this poll. However, my stance was to form a government.

The UNP has proven it could come out stronger after suffering a defeat. Our party was able to secure only eight seats in the 1970 election, but in 1977, we increased the count to 140 seats. We have fielded a new team of candidates in this year’s election. We did the same in 1977,” he said.

On a different note, he said the country’s political landscape had changed with the outbreak of COVID-19.

"The incumbent government failed to rebuild the economy in the wake of the pandemic. In its election manifesto, the UNP will come out with economic policies on how to build the economy,” he said. (Yohan Perera)


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  Comments - 25

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  • Ari Monday, 08 June 2020 10:55 PM

    Ha ha, what a joke. Trying to boost the image. It's a David and goliath comparison.

    Weeratunga Monday, 08 June 2020 11:08 PM

    UNP is an anachronism now. SL needs a patriotic opposition.

    palitha Monday, 08 June 2020 11:11 PM

    ayyooo salli.. Mr.Ranil oyata lajjaawak nadda thawamath?????

    CITIZEN Monday, 08 June 2020 11:35 PM

    UNDER YOU WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN THE OPPOSITION. IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE CONFIRMING THIS TIME AROUND

    Sambo Tuesday, 09 June 2020 08:15 AM

    Mr.RW. You are left over with the cream of thieves and person will want to vote for them. They will be voted out for good.

    HAMFERT Tuesday, 09 June 2020 08:46 AM

    NO CHANCE RW. U ARE A DEAD HORSE AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SO.

    Janaka Tuesday, 09 June 2020 09:09 AM

    Count your days to pack your dirty politics and go home, butterfly, JVP will cecure more seats than UNP. You are dreaming.

    S P Jayasinghe Tuesday, 09 June 2020 09:10 AM

    Wonder whether the Leader Will be able to save his seat. I think his crowning glory is to bury the Grand National Party High time he should be held account able for all the frauds that happened in the Central Bank

    johan Tuesday, 09 June 2020 09:24 AM

    After the elections UNP will be like SLFP no address. Silent like Maithiri and his disciples

    Sodha Tuesday, 09 June 2020 09:36 AM

    Ha ha ha...... this made my day...

    Dayan Tuesday, 09 June 2020 09:39 AM

    Sorry, You are mistaken. Division of the grate UNP will pave the way for SLPP. Unfortunate people will curse both fractions for their selfishness. They are not for the people, but for their own agendas.

    Roy Fonseka Tuesday, 09 June 2020 10:00 AM

    You cannot understand and no sense about common mans feelings. You will learn a good lesson this time.

    Nadi Karunaratne Tuesday, 09 June 2020 10:02 AM

    This country has been brought low as a consequence of this mans diseased vanity. We need a functioning and credible opposition to hold government to account but what we have is shameful self-serving and ineptitude.

    "rew Tuesday, 09 June 2020 10:07 AM

    This is an example of someone talking through his "Back side

    TONY Tuesday, 09 June 2020 10:13 AM

    THE LEADER WHO SPEARHEADED THE UNP IN 1977 WAS DIFFERENT AND NOT YOU, SO DONT DEPEND A REPEAT OF 1977 OUTCOME

    Roshanaly Tuesday, 09 June 2020 10:28 AM

    Don't worry, you are already secured, MR will include you and the former President Sisisena in the National List for helping to win the elections.

    Anthony Tuesday, 09 June 2020 10:41 AM

    AGAIN AND AGAIN I SAY WITH RANIL IN THE SCENE THE RAJAPAKSAS GET STRONGER, BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER,(WE CAN USE THE TERM ROGUES)

    Hemantha Tuesday, 09 June 2020 11:02 AM

    Ranil is a good daydreamer.

    Ranjith Tuesday, 09 June 2020 11:55 AM

    What Did you do five years,shame as leader of the UNP when compared with previous leaders.Please step down at least now.

    Saman Tuesday, 09 June 2020 01:24 PM

    Its an UNP-SLPP coalition

    ala Tuesday, 09 June 2020 01:45 PM

    We have another Joker

    Samson Tuesday, 09 June 2020 04:35 PM

    UNP was a great party until Ranil decided to kill it. Now it is not a contender to SLPP, not even to JVP

    EJ Wednesday, 10 June 2020 11:33 AM

    Give a chance to Sajith and team Better you resign. We know your economic policies well. Please do not bulsit the voters.

    Zai Hassan Wednesday, 10 June 2020 12:03 PM

    He is daydreaming. UNP I'd no more.

    Thor Thursday, 11 June 2020 08:12 AM

    They are both going into oblivion together!!!


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