• Says UNP has more time to decide on candidate 
• Focus more on completing Ministry tasks but paying attention to coalition discussions
• Says names not important, wants someone he can work with 
  
   

The United National Party (UNP) still has time to appoint a Presidential candidate, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said yesterday pointing out that formation of a coalition has more attention from parties.

Speaking to the media at Temple Trees Ranatunga noted that in his view the UNP has the option of appointing a Presidential candidate even one month before nominations are called and his focus is more on carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Ministry. 

“We will definitely form the coalition. There have been several rounds of talks and we are expecting an update today so we can take discussions forward. My attention is more on running the Ministry. I go for the meetings, of course, but I think it’s more important that we concentrate on what we can do before the Presidential Elections,” he said. 

He said the need was to form a coalition with a policy framework that could be implemented at a practical level so that the public could buy into the future plans of the coalition.

“Once the coalition is formed and a policy framework is drawn up then I will decide where I stand. I will not criticise any candidate, nor will I sing anyone’s praises. I am watching and waiting to see who the right person is. Every party needs to have discipline. Younger parliamentarians cannot always think they are right and they alone know what is best for their party.” 

Ranatunga said that at the moment all minor parties are with the UNP and they are awaiting the UNP’s decision on a Presidential candidate, which will be then discussed with coalition parties before a final decision will be made. 

“I don’t care about names. I want to know if it’s a person I can work with. That is what I will base my decision on,” he added.    

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