Talks on Presidential candidate to be completed this month: UPFA

• Says discussions still going on, but will end soon
• Meeting to be held on 7 June for more discussions
• Claimed they were unaware of President’s remarks about not contesting for 2nd term
  
   

By Ruwandi Gamage

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) will wrap up intra-party discussions regarding a Presidential candidate by the end of this month, UPFA General Secretary MP Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday. 

United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary MP Mahinda Amaraweera

MP Weerakumara Dissanayake

UPFA MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna

Amaraweera stated that ongoing discussions regarding who would be appointed as the Presidential candidate between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), UPFA, and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) would be completed by the end of June. 

“Presidential candidates have not been named by any party so far. Our party’s discussions are also still on-going and we will meet again on 7 June to discuss this further. More than the candidate, what matters to us is what we are campaigning for,” he said.

He pointed out that for 71 years, the public have brought triumph to candidates and parties, but have not had their hopes fulfilled by those individuals. The General Secretary said the country needs to focus on policies to move forward. He claimed that this was the reason behind their efforts to outline a set of policies in their campaign that could be practically achieved. 

Amaraweera further said that the UPFA is unaware about any decision taken by the President regarding not contesting for a second term. He also added that the party was keeping all its options open, including the possibility of President Maithripala Sirisena being a Presidential candidate backed by Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

“We haven’t still come to a decision regarding who we will campaign for. We haven’t decided yet on a Presidential candidate, or who will be Prime Minister. Discussions are still going on. What the SLFP General Secretary has stated is his opinion regarding the matter, as no decision has been made yet,” Amaraweera said.

UPFA MPs Weerakumara Dissanayake and Lasantha Alagiyawanna were also present at this press briefing.

Pic by Lasantha Kumara