The meeting between United National Party (UNP) leader,Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the deputy leader, Minister Sajith Premadasa, which was scheduled for today (08 September) to decide the Presidential candidate, has been postponed until Tuesday (10 September).
The meeting has been postponed upon Sajith Premadasa's request.
Media reports that Sajith Premadasa has postponed the meeting because several ministers close to him had advised Premadasa not to always act on the term of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.They are of the opinion that Ranil Wickremesinghe is taking time as usual by holding discussions after discussions to cover up the crisis .
I am not a political bastard - Sajith
Deputy Leader of the UNP, Minister Sajith Premadasa says he would not give up the fight for ‘Presidential candidacy’.He stated this addressing an event held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium last evening (07 September) with the participation of UNP’s Provincial Council poll candidates who contested in the previous election.
Ministers Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Kabir Hashim, Harin Fernando and Chandrani Bandara were also present at this event.Speaking on the rumours that Premadasa would seize the premiership soon, he said, “I’m not a ‘political bastard’ to obtain premiership through backdoor entry.
”He says, when he reaches the top, the people will be able to meet him not at the President’s House in Colombo and Kandy, but casually on the road.The UNP deputy leader noted that he had even rejected the Prime Minister seat when it was offered to him on a plate, just because of the respect he had for the party leader and the party.The Provincial Council poll candidates of the UNP who contested in the previous election passed a proposal that calls for the nomination of Minister Sajith Premadasa as the UNP’s presidential hopeful.
Sajith has become a prisoner
A spokesperson from Prime Minister's Office told Sri Lanka Mirror that the people who tried to make Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe a prisoner in the recent past have taken Sajith Premadasa as a prisoner and this situation has led to the prolongation of the crisis.
Will Sajith contest alone?
Although Sajith Premadasa is not nominated as the Presidential candidate, he will not contest on his own , Ajith P Perera has told The Morning newspaper.
He further stated that there is no need to contest separately since Premadasa has a clear majority in the parliamentary, provincial and local government levels.
Will not become a part of power struggle - Karu
Meanwhile, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya during a meeting with leading civil society activists have told that the full consent and blessings of all parties involved is vital for any candidate who will contest from United National Front (UNF).Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has further said that he has already received requests from religious leaders and other parties to contest the Presidential election but he does not intend to be a part of a power struggle.
(Mirror)