Chandrika Withdraws
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has rejected an invitation, from several United National Party (UNP) MPs to contest the coming presidential election, as the Common Opposition Candidate.
Several UNP MPs, including Chairman Kabeer Hashim and media head Mangala Samaraweera, met Kumaratunga last week and requested her to contest as the Common Opposition Candidate. However, she has rejected the invitation.
Hashim and Samaraweera met UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, after it was confirmed that the Presidential Election will be held on January 2015, and requested him not to contest. The MPs told Wickremesinghe that if he contested it will be extremely difficult to rally all the Opposition parties and Ministers and MPs in the government against President Rajapaksa.
However former President Chandrika Bandaranaike could achieve that.
Wickremesinghe has asked Hashim and Samaraweera to meet the former President and request her to contest.
However, when they met Bandaranaike, she has rejected the invitation but has stated that she will support the Common Opposition Candidate. Due to this the former President didn’t attend the press conference organized by the Opposition Parties and had sent a special message.
(Courtesy: Ceylon Today)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka revises fuel prices from February 1, 2026 January 31, 2026
- Sri Lanka declares essential services to ensure recovery after Cyclone Ditwah January 31, 2026
- Sri Lanka disburses Rs. 50,000 relief to 70% of Cyclone Ditwah victims January 31, 2026
- Sri Lanka to launch national review on social media’s impact on children January 30, 2026
- Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia move to boost industrial cooperation January 30, 2026
It is positive sign that the opposition join hands with MR and for the government.
Good no one will vote for her.
Rejected? Or knew that there wont be any proper invitation…
Finally media reports says, she rejected the offer…
I’d like to know a single project she did during her tenure.
I am happy,,she realise her popularity.