Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Sajith unanimously endorsed by WC

26 September 2019 04:38 pm - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

After days of bickering, the United National Party (UNP) Working Committee (WC) today unanimously endorsed the party’s deputy leader, Minister Sajith Premadasa as the presidential candidate.

The decision was taken with barely two weeks to go for nominations. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed the name of Mr. Premadasa as the presidential candidate and asked whether there were any other name or names being proposed.

With no other name being proposed, the Working Committee endorsed Mr. Premadasa's name as the presidential candidate.

As traditionally done, the UNP will have its annual convention on October 3 to ratify the decision taken by the Working Committee.

There were weeks of wrangling between Mr. Premadasa and the Prime Minister over the presidential candidacy with one faction of the party conducting public rallies at various parts of the country to galvanize the UNP's rank and file to ensure Mr. Premadasa's candidacy.

Later, the political parties aligned with the UNP -- Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, All Ceylon Makkal Congress, Jathika Hela Urumaya and Tamil Progressive Front - also expressed their support for Mr. Premadasa.

In the wake of such developments, the senior leaders of the UNP, backing both the factions, sat together with the Prime Minister on Tuesday and decided to field Mr. Premadasa as the presidential candidate. The party leadership, however, sought a written commitment from him to advocate the UNP policy to scrap executive presidency, to devolve power to the periphery and to evolve electoral reforms.

Later, Mr. Premadasa said Lead he would not be bound by any condition in seeking presidential candidacy. However, the party passed a resolution to this effect at the Working Committee today. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 16

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Dallas Thursday, 26 September 2019 05:11 PM

    Like Father like son,becareful sri Lankans

    Karu Thursday, 26 September 2019 05:11 PM

    Let the game begin

    Ram Thursday, 26 September 2019 05:28 PM

    Good decision. Trust it is unconditional. It is for Sajith to treat UNP seniors with respect if he wins

    Lord Wolfstein Thursday, 26 September 2019 05:38 PM

    Because of lack of better people, Sajith is the only chance for the country.

    Jehan Thursday, 26 September 2019 07:28 PM

    chance at what? remain a middle income country for another decade?

    Dhammika Thursday, 26 September 2019 05:40 PM

    CONGRADULATIONS . This was the main news that many were awaiting to hear .

    sam silva Thursday, 26 September 2019 05:45 PM

    Good move to beat gr but will sp will be another siri

    channa Thursday, 26 September 2019 06:02 PM

    Congratulations. But you can't win becuase of what the party has to the country

    J.Amarai Thursday, 26 September 2019 06:15 PM

    The proceeding is common in any organisation, like the one happens in any 'old boys group' . The real purpose of this drama ( through out) is to show that the UNP is still upholding the Democratic way. the question is as to why they have to do this ? because the masses, like any others need 'excitement' , the Politicians knew that by doing this sort of drama they can make one more popular, which enable people to erase their negative thoughts about this particular person or party. on the other hand Gota's Team is thinking that the people are still wanted a 'CHANTI' Government, as the most of the people's mindset is to get Revenge, jealously, opportunities and living with comparison with others. Politicians Mindset need to be Polished for the betterment of FREE THINKING PEOPLE.

    podda Thursday, 26 September 2019 06:29 PM

    Don't worry too much winning the election. Try at least win your electorate for the first time. That way you achieved more than RW..

    vithura Thursday, 26 September 2019 06:41 PM

    He has been given a fair crack of the whip, as he is not tainted with any criminal allegations, unlike others!

    kumar Thursday, 26 September 2019 07:03 PM

    Good, at least UNP can ensure respectable defeat.

    johan Thursday, 26 September 2019 07:24 PM

    Good, now we can see UNP will go on a different direction but he must have an eye on the thieves must not allow them to come closer.

    johan Thursday, 26 September 2019 07:24 PM

    Good, now we can see UNP will go on a different direction but he must have an eye on the thieves must not allow them to come closer.

    UNPer Thursday, 26 September 2019 08:41 PM

    Sajith has to fight a hard battle because the UNP has a bad record during the last 41/2 years and earned a bad reputation.

    Raj Silva Thursday, 26 September 2019 09:28 PM

    Good News. Now get all the democratic forces together, including those who supported RW, and plan your strategy to win the Presidential Election on Nov. 16th.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H