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I will contest for presidency: Ranil

6 September 2019 09:56 pm - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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At a meeting of party seniors, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is known to have expressed his desire to contest the presidential elections.

He had said this in the wake of a UNP faction loyal to Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa conducting another public rally at Kurunegala to urge the party hierarchy to nominate Mr. Premadasa as the party's presidential candidate.

In addition to the Prime Minister, ministers Kabir Hashim, Lakshman Kiriella, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam who is also the General Secretary of the party, Malik Samarawickrama, John Amaratunga, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Ravi Karunanayake, Sarath Fonseka, Daya Gamage, Navin Dissanayake, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Ajith P. Perera and Mangala Samaraweera attended the meeting.

"I will contest the presidential election. I am the party leader. I have every right to do so. I will submit my nomination for approval by the working committee. If there is anyone opposing, they can do it there," the Prime Minister said.

Premadasa loyalists, ministers Hashim and Samarawickrama had said it would divide the party.

Mr. Wickremesinghe replied saying if he decided to contest as the party leader then everybody should back him.

Minister Sajith Premadasa did not attend today’s meeting and the seniors backing him were not receptive to the Prime Minister's idea. Therefore, it was decided that Mr. Wickremesinghe and Mr. Premadasa should meet tomorrow to sort out the matter.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hashim said there was a huge crowd present at Thursday's Kurunegala rally today. Minister Gamage said a large crowd was present because Mr. Premadasa had declared that he was the party's candidate.

"If we announce the party's candidate, we can bring a crowd ten times larger than it," he said.

However, Mr. Fonseka and Mr. Kariyawasam were critical of the rally saying it was against the party's collective decision.

They discussed the best possible options for the UNP to win the presidential elections. Those loyal to Mr. Premadasa said the party leadership should make a decision based on ground realities. (Yohan Perera and Kelum Bandara)


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  Comments - 18

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  • Sathish Seevaratnam Friday, 06 September 2019 10:07 PM

    Patriot Friday, 06 September 2019 10:09 PM

    Can we know who is the Presidential Election candidate from UNP? Somehow first lady already ready????

    Voter Friday, 06 September 2019 10:12 PM

    First of all, DISCIPLINE!

    Era Friday, 06 September 2019 10:43 PM

    First of all democracy in the party. Ranil is going to contest for the 3rd time and loose for the 3rd time. Democracy means all UNP members from grassroot level who have membership sgould vote. That includes us firm UNPers.

    sam silva Friday, 06 September 2019 10:34 PM

    The greed has taken over and he is going to destroy the party and himself.

    Kusan Subramaniam Friday, 06 September 2019 10:35 PM

    Mr wickremasinga you have been in the politics for long time and you contested in the past but you did not win, so give a chance to sajith premadasa

    Sambas Friday, 06 September 2019 10:46 PM

    Modayo Tikak!

    Max Friday, 06 September 2019 10:47 PM

    Out of the duo, PM is better because everyone knows his loyalty towards west and to NGOs. Whereas sajith only has a big mouth and talking about welfare. Can a country go forward with such a mentality?

    Kumara Friday, 06 September 2019 10:48 PM

    If Ranil contests, we will teach him a lesson for the third time!

    DHA Friday, 06 September 2019 10:51 PM

    This shows how unstable UNP is !!! Sad RW is ruining the party !!! Though Gota is not my favorite I have decided to vote for him....

    Berty Friday, 06 September 2019 11:00 PM

    and i will not vote for you ,so will all the UNPers i know.This fellow will not even get 400,000 votes.You'll see loser .LOL

    Vipin B Friday, 06 September 2019 11:10 PM

    I think the greed for power got the best of him. It could also be an arrangement to make Gota win in trade of all misdoings under RW's regime swept under the carpet.

    S Fernando Friday, 06 September 2019 11:10 PM

    Chase away Sujeewa from the party and Sajith will fall in line for sure. The man has no backbone.

    kondaya77 Friday, 06 September 2019 11:29 PM

    This selfish man will not go away,he is used to loosing.What an idiot.

    nizam Friday, 06 September 2019 11:43 PM

    Sajith should contest the Election as an independent candidate. If not we will vote for the JVP. Enough of this fool. He is making a fool out of himself, and everyone else. For 26 years this fool LOST. LOSING one more time is not a big deal for him, but its a big deal for us. Humiliate this fool.

    VJ Saturday, 07 September 2019 03:56 PM

    Ranil, Sajith, Gota, Anura, MS will all contest. So no known political party will win. This is good news, a candidate outside these corrupt parties will emerge as the winner. We will only get a leader we deserve.

    Ranjan perera Saturday, 07 September 2019 07:19 PM

    I want free wifi to send messages to girls. So I will vote for Ranil. Ranil one last try. Sri lankan people need free Wifi. No need for security, country, food, jobs, but just free wifi. Because that is what Ranil can do.

    Monica Saturday, 07 September 2019 07:39 PM

    This is all calculated to build up a hype. Then, at the last moment, will announce SP as the candidate. I have a feeling that all in the Working Committee are aware and playing a calculated game.


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