Political kith and kin in the fray
Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga’s daughter is expected to contest the election
Amid plans for the premature dissolution of the Western and Southern provincial councils, the two main political parties are preparing to field celebrities and close relatives of politicians to contest elections at the national level, Daily Mirror learns.
Postal Services Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga’s daughter Malsha Kumaratunga is expected to contest the election on the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) ticket. If she does, she will be a new face in provincial council politics.
It is learnt that Transport Minister Kumara Welgama and Special Projects Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardane are planning to field their close relatives on the UPFA ticket from the Kalutara district. The late Southern Province Chief Minister Amarasiri Dodamgoda’s son is expected to contest from the Galle district as a member of the UPFA while Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane is planning to field his son at this election from the Matara district. Apart from relatives,
It is learnt that Transport Minister Kumara Welgama and Special Projects Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardane are planning to field their close relatives on the UPFA ticket from the Kalutara district
the two main parties are also hoping to infuse the nomination lists with young blood.
At the previous elections, both the Government and the United National Party (UNP) fielded close relatives of party members. The UNP said it would introduce several newcomers to contest the upcoming elections. “We are planning to give nominations to new members. We will consider young people,” UNP parliamentatian Kabir Hashim said. Meanwhile the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said its list would only have a few new comers. “At every election, we field newcomers. It is not a new phenomenon in our party,” he said.