No prime ministerial candidate for upcoming poll: UNP

By Indika Sri Aravinda 

The United National Party (UNP) said it would not declare a prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming parliamentary election.

UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake told Daily Mirror the UNP would name its prime minister after the election.   

“The parliamentary election is scheduled to take place on June 20, but there is a move to further postpone the poll. If the election goes ahead, party members will contest on an even scale with no focus on a prime ministerial candidate. The UNP splinter group has already named Sajith Premadasa as its prime ministerial candidate,” he said.  

Meanwhile, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said its Working Committee had not convened after nominations were called, hence the issue of who should be declared Prime Minister had not been discussed.