APD | Sri Lanka’s ruling party names Deputy Leader as Presidential candidate

By APD writer Easwaran

COLOMBO, Sept. 26 (APD) - Sri Lanka’s ruling party, the United National Party, on Thursday named the Deputy Leader of the party Sajith Premadasa as its Presidential candidate to face elections in November.

The Working Committee of the United National Party (UNP) approved the nomination of UNP Premadasa as the Presidential candidate.

The UNP Working Committee convened at the UNP Headquarters and declared Premadasa as the Presidential candidate.

UNP leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe chaired the UNP Working Committee meeting.

Speaking at the Working Committee meeting, Wickremesinghe said that there was an appeal to ensure the party does not split when picking a Presidential candidate.

He said that Premadasa was the most preferred choice to be the UNP Presidential candidate.

Wickremesinghe asked the Working Committee if there were any other nominees and there were none so Premadasa was unanimously selected.

Meanwhile, UNP MP, Minister Harsha de Silva said that the UNP will now call a convention to confirm the Working Committee ’s unanimous decision in a week.

"This is tradition. As always the party confirms the WC decision," Harsha de Silva said.

He said that at the convention the UNP will also move proposals related to devolution of powers, Executive Presidency and electoral reforms.

Premadasa was picked after the UNP met earlier in the day and reached a decision to nominate Premadasa at the UNP Working Committee meeting.

The main opposition Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has already named former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as its Presidential candidate.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)