Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
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President Ranil Wickremesinghe
The President’s Media Division (PMD) yesterday announced that 92 Government MPs have pledged their support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
According to a PMD press release, the MPs met with Wickremesinghe at the President’s Secretariat yesterday where they “pledged their unconditional support for his victory in the upcoming Presidential Election,”
“They asserted that only President Wickremesinghe can build a stable and prosperous country with social and political stability and economic development, free from severe crises and queues. Consequently, they set aside their personal politics to make this decision for the country’s benefit,” it added.
The PMD said MPs representing the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) rejected the decision driven by a minority to field a different candidate, which disregards the country’s best interests.
“They also noted that President Wickremesinghe succeeded in stabilising the country within two years, despite an unstable economy, a collapsed law and order and incidents where Parliamentarians were killed on the streets.
They expressed their gratitude to the President for maintaining the trust placed in him during that challenging period,” the release noted.
President Wickremesinghe addressing the MPs said it was an emotional moment as all the MPs gathered represent the left and nationalist camps in Sri Lanka
He acknowledged he did not shoulder the responsibility of rebuilding the country alone. Wickremesinghe said he was supported by a dedicated team of persons who deeply cared for the country. The President emphasised that this group fulfilled their responsibilities effectively, and today, the people believe that only this team can lead the country forward.
The President also recounted requesting former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s support in rebuilding the country and expressed gratitude for Rajapaksa’s wise and positive decision at that time. He also noted only the current team in Government made up of many parties and their members can rebuild the country.
Speaking at the meeting, MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage noted that over 75% of the SLPP parliamentary group attended to support Wickremesinghe, despite the party’s decision to nominate a different candidate for the election. He said a majority of Government MPs were also present while another six who are currently abroad will also pledge their support to him. The MP said the group has no conditions for their support, adding that it is given with the belief that Wickremesinghe is the best person to rebuild Sri Lanka.
Among those who attended the meeting were Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajpakse, Ministers Ali Sabri, Dr Ramesh Pathirana, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Mahinda Amaraweera, Jeevan Thondaman, Tiran Alles, Kanchana Wijesekara Vidura Wickramanayake and State Ministers Kanaka Herath, Lohan Ratwatte, Suren Raghavan, Shehan Semasinghe, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and others.
Members of Parliament included SLPP stalwarts such as Mahindananda Aluthgamage, S.B. Dissanayake, S.M. Chandrasena, Kokila Gunwardena, Seetha Arambepola, Dilum Amunugama, Milan Jayathilake and Kapila Athukorala. MPs Anura Priyadarshanaya Yapa, Priyankara Jayaratne, D.B. Herath, Premanath C. Dolawatta, Janaka Wakkumbura, John Seneviratne, Douglas Devananda, Madhura Withanage, Rajika Wickramasinghe were also in attendance.
Speaking to the media after the meeting with the President, MP Nimal Lanza said at least 115 MPs in parliament will be backing Wickremesinghe. He mentioned that party members believe Wickremesinghe should be supported in recognition of his efforts to rebuild the country.
Minister Kanchana Wijesekara stressed the group will attempt to avoid a rift within the SLPP and advocate for the SLPP leadership to support Wickremesinghe. “SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa made no statement on the party’s decision. We believe he did not agree with the stance taken,” he said. According to Wijesekara if all efforts fail, a large group of SLPP MPs will likely exit the party to extend their support to the President. He also hinted a group from the SJB will soon join Wickremesinghe as well.
Commenting on the issue, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe expressed his belief that SLPP Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa will make the right decision soon. “We will believe he will make the correct decision due to his experience in politics,” he said. Semasinghe warned that if not, the fate of the SLPP would be unfortunate and tragic.
Meanwhile, SLPP MP Premanath C. Dolawatte blamed SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam for the MPs breaking ranks. “He does not understand politics,” he said.
In a press conference earlier, State Minister and SLPP member Pramitha Bandara Tennekoon stated that the party’s decision to withdraw support from Wickremesinghe and field its own candidate in the upcoming election is not grounded in reality.
He compared this devastating decision to the ill-fated move by certain party members to attack protestors at Galle Face Green on 9 May 2022.
Meanwhile, the SLPP Anuradhapura district committee convened by S.M Chandrasena has unanimously decided to support Wickremesinghe in the upcoming election, regardless of the party’s overall direction. Out of those present at the well-attended meeting yesterday, only two members opposed the proposal, advocating instead for backing a candidate fielded by the SLPP.
