I am ready to contest presidential polls

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Kumara Welgama said he was ready to accept the presidential candidacy and contest if his name would be nominated by the party.   
Addressing a news briefing, he said he had been in the SLFP for 38 years and had not left the party under any circumstances.   “I am confident that I would be able to cope with the state of affairs and lead the country to a better position,” MP Welgama said.   

“People know my character. I have worked for the people, and I am a straightforward person. People have faith in me,” MP Welgama added.   
Highlighting the fact that SLFP had been steadfast right throughout the history, he stressed that it was essential to field a presidential candidate from the SLFP.   However, he said the SLFP had not yet fielded a candidate.   

“I raised the importance of fielding an SLFP candidate without losing its identity when I personally met President Sirisena recently,” he said.   
Meanwhile, MP Welgama said he would support Maithripala Sirisena if he would decide to contest the presidential election.