Naming prime ministerial candidate not realistic; Ranil tells Harin
UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has told Opposition Leader of the Uva Provincial Council Harin Fernando that naming a prime ministerial candidate in the run-up to the forthcoming presidential election is not realistic as the party was campaigning for the abolition of the executive presidency.
Wickremesinghe has explained that the UNP needed to adopt a political strategy taking into consideration that the executive presidency will be abolished to pave the way for a government answerable to Parliament headed by a premier. Wickremesinghe was responding to Fernando’s plea to declare recently appointed UNP Deputy Leader and MP Sajith Premadasa as the UNP’s prime ministerial candidate in the run-up to the next presidential election.
Addressing a meeting of Kolonnawa bala mandalaya last Saturday, Fernando declared that the success of Wickremesinghe’s presidential election candidature would largely depend on Premadasa spearheading the campaign as the prospective prime minister.
Well informed sources told The Island that Wickremesinghe, who had held the premiership twice, briefly, had emphasized that Deputy Leader Premadasa could play a pivotal role in the campaign, along with other young UNP parliamentarians. Responding to a query, a party official said that former MP Fernando had pledged to throw his weight behind the project to do away with the executive presidency.
Wickremesinghe also reminded Fernando that the party was in the process of organizing a big protest in Colombo on October 24 to coincide with President Rajapaksa presenting budget 2015.
The UNP leadership has directed all electoral organisers to ensure maximum participation of supporters.
(Courtesy: The Island)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Justice Preethi Padman Surasena sworn in as Sri Lanka’s 49th Chief Justice July 27, 2025
- Sri Lanka records over 1.3 Million tourist arrivals so far in 2025 July 27, 2025
- Sri Lanka revives largest roofing tile factory in Mahiyanganaya July 26, 2025
- Sri Lanka President holds talks with U.S. trade representative on tariff reductions July 26, 2025
- Brigadier Franklin Joseph assumes duties as Sri Lanka Defence Ministry Spokesman July 25, 2025
This means still UNP not getting a chance.
the United national party will never win a general election so Mr.Ranil is right there is no need to name a prime ministerial candidate cos the UNP will allways be in the opposition until Mr.Ranil is leader coz supporters will never vote
He might renew his own previous record…..!