Video: UPFA agrees to give nominations to MR

3 July 2015 10:20 am

President Maithripala Sirisena has agreed to give nominations to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest from United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), General Secretary Susil Premajayantha said today.

He told Daily Mirror the decision was taken by President Sirisena as Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) leader at a meeting of the constituent parties held at the presidential secretariat on Thursday.

Mr. Premajayantha said the UPFA steering committee would meet in the next few days and finalise the nomination list and Mr. Rajapaksa is expected to play a leading role to steer the UPFA to victory with an absolute majority.

“We expect to contest the upcoming general elections as a major political front uniting all progressive and democratic forces in the country and achieve a major victory on August 17. Mr. Rajapaksa will be the leader of the election campaign with the blessings and advice of President Sirisena,” Mr. Premajayantha added.

Addressing a news conference at the Abhayarama, Narahenpita, soon after the official statement was issued by the UPFA, MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardane said they welcomed the decision taken by the President to allow former Mr. Rajapaksa to contest at the forthcoming general election from the UPFA.

NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa said that the movement that began from Nugegoda has borne fruit and thanked all those who backed then in their endeavour to bring back Mr. Rajapaksa. (SJ, KB & HF)





The full statement