RW allies to contest general election under “Gas Cylinder” symbol

Friday, 4 October 2024 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Political parties that supported former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the recent Presidential election are gearing up to contest the upcoming General Election under the banner of the New Democratic Front (NDF), with the “Gas Cylinder” as their election symbol.

United National Party (UNP) Kesbewa Electoral Seat Organiser Saman Rathnapriya, yesterday confirmed that all parties within the alliance had agreed to contest under the “Gas Cylinder” symbol. Alliance member S.M. Chandrasena also echoed this sentiment, stating that the group was united in their decision.

Wickremesinghe, who ran as an independent candidate in the Presidential election using the same symbol, will now lead his coalition into the General Election with this emblem, pending approval from the Election Commission. Former MPs who backed Wickremesinghe have signalled their readiness to run under either the “Gas Cylinder” or the “Elephant”, or another common symbol, should the commission’s decision not favour their first choice.

The final decision on the symbol and the structure of the alliance will be made after the Election Commission announces its stance. Former MPs and party members met at Wickremesinghe’s Election Operations office on Flower Road, Colombo, for the second consecutive day to finalise these details. The meeting, chaired by Wickremesinghe himself, brought together key alliance figures in preparation for the forthcoming polls.

However, should the bid for the “Gas Cylinder” symbol fall through, the group has expressed willingness to use the “Elephant” symbol, traditionally associated with the UNP, or another mutually agreed-upon emblem.