Presidential poll three-pronged

By Sandun A. Jayasekera 

JVP Propaganda Secretary and MP Vijitha Herath said the forthcoming presidential election would most probably be a three-cornered fight between the JVP, UNF and the SLPP or SLFP. 
“We have no doubt that the SLPP and the SLFP will join hands to field a common candidate and as such it will be a three-cornered fight. The JVP will definitely field a candidate chosen from a common front that will include academics, professionals and patriots. It will be a formidable political alliance uniting all progressive and patriotic forces under one umbrella. We are in the process of assessing the capability and suitability of our candidate. The JVP-led progressive alliance expects to announce its candidate shortly with the approval and blessings of all constituent partners of the alliance,” he told Daily Mirror yesterday. 

However, he said it was unlikely for the presidential race to be a two or four cornered fight but a contest between three forces, though some say it would be a fierce battle between the UNP and the candidate nominated by opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

“We have no doubt that the SLPP and the SLFP will join hands to field a common candidate and as such it will be a three-cornered fight. The JVP will definitely field a candidate chosen from a common front that will include academics, professionals and patriots. It will be a formidable political alliance uniting all progressive and patriotic forces under one umbrella. We are in the process of assessing the capability and suitability of our candidate. The JVP-led progressive alliance expects to announce its candidate shortly with the approval and blessings of all constituent partners of the alliance,” he told Daily mirror  yesterday.