The UNP Management Committee unanimously decided yesterday that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should contest the upcoming Presidential Election. This decision has been taken at the Management Committee of the Party which met yesterday under the patronage of the President.
UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena when contacted, said the Committee members in one voice said that the President Ranil Wickremesinghe should vie for the next Presidential Election.
He said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will contest the Presidential Election as a National Candidate and any party that wishes to see political and economic stability can extend their support to the President at the election.
The Committee has also decided to hold the Presidential Election in September.
Committee members Ministers Manusha Nanayakkara, Harin Fernando, MP Vajira Abeywardena, Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, Deputy Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Dr. Karunasena Kodithuwakku, Ravi Karunanayake, Lasantha Gunawardena and Shamal Senarath, participated in the meeting. Presidential Advisor on National Security and Presidential Chief of Staff Sagala Rathnayake was not present as he is out of the country. The Committee also discussed the possibility of holding the Parliamentary Election in January 2025 and the Local Government election March next year following the Presidential election.
Informed sources said that the President Ranil Wickremesinghe has already allocated the symbol, through which he is contesting the election.
Shiromi Abeysinghe