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UNP to form grand political alliance to back Ranil at Presidential Polls

2 January 2024 02:09 am - 33     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, Jan. 2 (Daily Mirror) - President Ranil Wickremesinghe has embarked on forming a grand alliance to back him at the Presidential Elections in the New Year, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said yesterday.

“We are talking to many political parties and many will join us to back Mr. Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Elections this year,” he said in response to a question raised by journalists as to whether the UNP had begun any discussion with anyone from SJB.

“President Wickremesinghe will surely be contesting the Presidential Elections,” he added.

He said Mr. Wickremesinghe and the UNP does not expect Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa to become a contender. “We don’t expect Mr. Premadasa to contest the Presidential Elections as he would be left without a formidable team as time goes on,” Mr. Range Bandara said.

Also, he said President Ranil Wickremesinghe had informed the party seniors that he does not want to continue with a high percentage of Value Added Tax (VAT).

“People in this country will have to bear up for a limited period as the President himself had informed us that he intends to reduce VAT whenever it becomes possible,” he said in this regard.


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  Comments - 33

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  • Alice Wonderland Tuesday, 02 January 2024 02:32 AM

    VAT a day dream.

    Ranil the protector of criminals Tuesday, 02 January 2024 02:41 AM

    The grand alliance will face a humbling defeat, thanks to the sleazy king.

    Justice Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:58 PM

    True. If he insists on associating with them, the citizens will vote accordingly as majority wants back all corrupted funds missing over the years

    Robin Banks Tuesday, 02 January 2024 02:45 AM

    UNP will have to dig some candidate out from their graves, because the current bunch of lowlifes wouldn't be able to find their way out of a wet paper bag.

    Natalie Nanayaka Tuesday, 02 January 2024 02:47 AM

    Latest drama in town "The poof and his magic wand" .

    Gama Rala Tuesday, 02 January 2024 02:51 AM

    Looks like this old fool has had a wet dream.

    Rambanda Tuesday, 02 January 2024 11:46 AM

    Looks like VAT Ranil and he will never contest

    Sam Silva Tuesday, 02 January 2024 03:02 AM

    If Ranil intends to reduce the vat, why did he increased it at all. Unless he is planning to reduces it just before elections. Yes, all the crooks will support Ranil because he will shield them to rob the country more. If Ranil wants to get the support from the majority, he needs to bring back all the looted money, and put all the crooks who stole money behind bars. However it would never happen because he needs them. Sad situation in our country.

    Zak Tuesday, 02 January 2024 03:32 AM

    You will keep negotiating till the election day to find alliance partners

    Ram Tuesday, 02 January 2024 03:50 AM

    Who will want to back RW the politician who failed to keep to his promises. Range is trying hard to keep his position

    Jude Tuesday, 02 January 2024 04:00 AM

    This guy have done enough damage to the country and he still wants to hang on to power!! The people who's voting for him to be blamed!!

    GoldernArrow Tuesday, 02 January 2024 04:18 AM

    Ha Ha Ha! This man makes me laugh from my orifice without teeth.

    Rubu Fernando Tuesday, 02 January 2024 04:28 AM

    Palitha Ranage Bandara is a THUG with little or no education. Is this the calibre of hooligans SL are going to choose? Aragalaya - rise up - usher in the system change the nation cries for. We have had enough of this self serving bandits - whether they wear a suit or sarong - makes no difference.

    muthtantri Tuesday, 02 January 2024 04:48 AM

    this guy talks bullshit all the time

    lion Tuesday, 02 January 2024 04:51 AM

    the grand alliance and the man announcing this will be vanished in to thin air in this year. The hay days of these buffoons will come to an end very soon.

    Jinthupala Thanegedara Tuesday, 02 January 2024 05:10 AM

    Yes, yes - Bath Balayo! Last time no seats - pin seat to thank the Satan JRJ! Pin Bath Adiyo, Do you have any qualification to rule this country?

    Mirror Image Tuesday, 02 January 2024 06:25 AM

    Who is summersaulting to this camp?

    wickrama wjayasiri Tuesday, 02 January 2024 06:54 AM

    Grand alliance of Crooks! Why are these old and proven crooks are in politics? They all want to feed at the trough irrespective of the colours they wear. What has happened to the intellectuals and youth of this country?

    VJ Tuesday, 02 January 2024 07:53 AM

    Day dreaming! Or ask the once famous question; dhawaldha?

    Cherath Tuesday, 02 January 2024 07:59 AM

    Sure..Ranil will reduce the VAT, 7 to 8 weeks before Presidential election, to give his campaign a big push. By the way, instead of asking other party leaders to join HIS Grand Alliance, why don't Ranil join SJB or NPP alliance? At the moment, all the grassroot level feelers indicate AKD at just below 50%.

    Sambo Tuesday, 02 January 2024 08:01 AM

    Never mind your grand alliance see if you could save your ass first. You people were swept away.

    Ndhtgfhjjhgg Tuesday, 02 January 2024 08:06 AM

    Mr. Palitha Ranga Bandara, you thought people are buddy cows, for you to say that RW didn't have the intent of increasing the VAT, as NPP Anura said in a statement RW doesn't feel or he does not know how the poor struggle, since he's from the tie court company.

    Premalal Perera Tuesday, 02 January 2024 08:45 AM

    No Alliance will help the man who allegedly busted our Central Bank.

    Leo Tuesday, 02 January 2024 08:58 AM

    Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe, Ranga Bandara and the others in the UNP band wagon can kiss your political careers goodbye post presidential election.

    Nimal Tuesday, 02 January 2024 10:08 AM

    SL needs to bring in maximum age limits (compulsory retirement) for all politicians. Most of these fellows are suffering from illnesses such as dementia and are not suitable for administering a country.

    Dion Tuesday, 02 January 2024 10:58 AM

    UNP. ..get lost

    DonkeyMan Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:00 PM

    This UNP alliance will be the biggest and widest Sri Lanka has seen. The present President will get over 10,000,000 votes and will make the country a developed country by end of 2025.

    Junthinam Pankotah Tuesday, 02 January 2024 03:03 PM

    Who is your leader? An unelected refused man to go nowhere other than begging! He finds all funerals around the world and attend! Money eaters! Thopita Hena Hatha will come soon! Do not look at the back!!

    HARD TRUTH Wednesday, 03 January 2024 08:12 AM

    THE GRAND ALIBABA.

    RR Wednesday, 03 January 2024 10:24 AM

    UNP STILL DREAMING OF FOOLING THE MASSES

    Anthony. R Wednesday, 03 January 2024 01:41 PM

    Ha,ha,ha, Ranil to contest,what a joke !!! Just wishful thinking.

    ROSH Wednesday, 03 January 2024 01:52 PM

    Of course excellent news unelected master debating president needs to be immortal on top of him in front of the parliament for next presidential elections. These crooks still not working towards my country. We need minority leader who can master debate unelected president

    Patcitz Wednesday, 03 January 2024 04:10 PM

    Without even a single member, how can you form a GRAND UNP ALLIANCE? No popular party members will nod to your HOODWINK


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