UNP MPS URGE PM, SAJITH TO TALK AND RESOLVE ISSUE

MOST MPS WANT THE ALLIANCE AND THE CANDIDATE FINALISED SOON

UNP MPS who took part at the party’s parliamentary group meeting yesterday, stressed that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa should discuss the present crisis over the presidential candidacy and sort it out.

At the meeting, Colombo district MP Mujibur Rahaman spoke about it. Though many expected a stormy session, the meeting progressed well without any major issue.

The MPS who spoke primarily stressed that the two leaders should get together and discuss the issue.several UNP MPS including non Cabinet Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe told journalists that most of the members wanted the Prime Minister and Mr. Premadasa to discuss about the party’s candidature and finalize the matter and that the agreement for the new alliance should be signed as soon as possible. “Most of the MPS wanted the alliance and the candidate finalised soon,” Mr. Senasinghe said and thereby expressed confidence that the agreement to form DNF would be finalized within the next few days.

“Many MPS proposed Deputy Leader Premadasa should be the candidate and stressed that the matter with regard to candidacy should be resolved soon,” the Minister said. Asked whether any other member including Minister Rajitha Senaratne objected to the candidacy of Mr. Premadasa, Mr. Senasinghe said no one made any objection with regard to the party’s candidature.

MP Mujibur Rahaman said the parliamentary Group discussed about the constitution of the DNF. “There have been issues pertaining to the constitution of the new alliance. Amendments have been proposed. The alliance will be formed soon rectifying the issues,” Mr. Rahaman said.

“The candidate for the presidential election will be from the UNP,” he added.

He also said the Prime Minister had advised the MPS not to make public statements on the alliance and the candidature.

MP Hector Appuhamy also said the Prime Minister and Mr. Premadasa were requested to discuss the issues pertaining to the candidature.

It was revealed by several MPS that the group members wanted action taken against Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake as he had hurt Buddhist monks. The Prime Minister who had then informed the MPS that the Disciplinary committee appointed to look into the statements made by Mr. Ramanayake will deal with him, according to Mr. Appuhamy.

Meanwhile UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam also confirmed that the UNP Parliamentary Group decided that both the Prime Minister and Mr. Premadasa should discuss about the candidature. He also said an agreement was reached among the MPS to refrain from making public statements about the party’s candidate.