Video: Large number of applicants wanted UNP nomination: Karu

10 February 2014 11:53 am

The United National Party (UNP) was compelled to leave out several capable people from its nomination lists to contest the elections to the provincial councils because of the large number of applicants seeking nominations on the party ticket, the UNP Leadership Council said.

Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jaysuriya told journalists the party would ensure that these applicants have a stable political career in the future.

He said there were a large number of applicants from the Districts of Colombo, Galle and Kalutara and the nomination board did its best to select the best candidates but in the process had to reluctantly leave out a few of the applicants.
 
Mr. Jayasuriya said some media organisations had confused matters and exaggerated them by carrying out a vituperative campaign.

He said there was no doubt that this election too would be far from free and fair when considering how the ruling party was conducting its election campaign.

Mr. Jayasuriya alleged that one powerful minister had instructed government agents in the election areas to check electoral lists for possible anti-government voters while some candidates were using government helicopters for their campaigning.

He welcomed the smooth leadership change in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and said all opposition political parties must work together to defeat the common enemy.

UNP Chairman and Leadership Council member Kabir Hashim accused the government of covering up all burning issues in the country and was only talking of the crisis in the UNP.

He said the most dangerous situation today was class terrorism where 60 per cent of the countries national wealth was being enjoyed by one per cent of the population who are among the supper rich.