Sajith tweets his candidacy for Presidency; terms RW as Acting President a farce

Saturday, 16 July 2022 00:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sajith Premadasa

Main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya leader Sajith Premadasa last night announced his candidacy for the post of President via a tweet.

“I am contesting to be the President. Electorate is confined to 225 MPs with the GR coalition dominating the numbers. Even though it is an uphill struggle I am convinced that truth will prevail,” Premadasa said in his tweet.

Originally SJB did announce Premadasa will be its candidate but changed strategy so as to not to contest but aspire to be the Prime Minister of a future all-party interim Government with 19th Amendment in place. This was after an understanding with SLPP-independent faction nominee Dullas Alahapperuma who announced his candidacy yesterday.

Premadasa also said SJB is continuing and stepping up its efforts to take responsibility to protect the motherland and its people.

In response to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s new role as Acting President, Premadasa said: “A MP with one seat is appointed as PM. Now the same person is appointed as acting President. This is the Rajapaksa style of democracy. What a farce. What a tragedy.”