Kiriella is more suited for presidency

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana 

UNP MP Ananda Aluthgamage, who defected from the government and joined the main opposition, said yesterday he and at least a few other MPs in the opposition would back a presidential candidate who attends Parliament and maintains a good rapport with all MPs.  

Mr. Aluthgamage actually referred to Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella when he made this remark in the House during the oral question session yesterday.  

“I and others would back a person such as Mr. Kiriella if he enters the presidential race. It will be fair to field candidates such as Mr. Kiriella for the presidential election as he maintains a good rapport with the MPs and attends Parliament daily. Mr. Kiriella is more suited for presidency rather than those who hardly attend Parliament sessions and heap people with burdens of loans,”   Mr. Aluthgamage also lauded Chief Government Whip Gayantha Karunatilleke whom he said was following the late Hector Kobbekaduwa who distributed lands to the landless during his tenure as the Minister of Agriculture.   

I and others would back a person such as Mr. Kiriella if he enters the presidential race