MR COULD EVEN NOMINATE SHIRANTHI FOR PRESIDENCY

Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayaka said yesterday that opposition and SLPP de-facto leader Mahinda Rajapaksa could even nominate his wife Shiranthi as the presidential candidate of the joint opposition because he is the sole decision maker on this subject on behalf of the JO and the SLPP.

He told reporters at yesterday’s news briefing at the Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) auditorium that the UNF would take a collective decision on the UNF candidate after consulting all constituent parties of the UNF, minority parties, Pradeshi Sabha and Provincial Council members and UNF Parliamentarians.

The dialogue ensued between Minister Dissanayaka and journalists at this juncture as follows:

DM:

Young MPS and a vast majority of supporters of the UNP want a new face as their Presidential candidate. Do you agree? Minister:

Yes, but our candidate will not be chosen from a particular family. As a democratic party, the UNP will consider all dissenting and amenable ideas of all before a decision is made.

DM:

President Sirisena vehemently opposes to form a National Government. The UNP desperately wants it. How are you going to overcome this imbroglio and form a National Government?

Minister:

I would like to draw your attention to the remarks once made by President Sirisena that he would never appoint Ranil as the Prime Minister. During 2015 general election campaign he said he would not appoint Mahinda as the Prime Minister even he won. There is nothing impossible in politics.