SLPP wants to contest General Election under flower bud

 MP Dilan Perera 

• Argues people more familiar with Pohottuwa symbol, therefore better chance of wining
• Says other coalition parties will not be side-lined
• Focus on giving nominations to qualified people, campaigning to begin in few weeks  

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday said their coalition, which also includes the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), should contest the forthcoming General Election under the flower bud party symbol, as the public have shown a clear preference for it at the Presidential Poll. 

Speaking to media at the SLPP head office in Battaramulla, Administrative Secretary Renuka Perera said contesting future elections under the flower bud symbol would be more suitable. He argued coalition political parties would not be opposed to contesting under the SLPP symbol.

“I do not think there will be any disagreement with other parties that backed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the election. People are more familiar with our symbol and we will start our election campaign within the next few weeks,” Perera said.

Speaking at the same press conference, MP Dilan Perera said the flower bud is the best symbol under which to contest the upcoming General Election. He argued the SLPP’s symbol was more familiar to the people, therefore there is a better chance to get more votes if they contest under the flower bud symbol.

“The SLPP is the only political party in the world that people call by the party’s symbol. If people call us by the symbol that indicates the flower bud is the best symbol to contest an election with. Therefore I do not see any reason to contest the forthcoming General Election under a different symbol,” he argued.

He noted other political parties that backed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not be side-lined during the upcoming General Election. Perera assured those political parties which backed President Rajapaksa would get the agreed quota at the General Election.

“We will not side-line anyone in the upcoming General Election. We will discuss with them on the symbol as well, and giving nominations for their members. However, we have better chance of winning if we contest under the flower bud.”

When asked on giving nominations for the General Election, SLPP Administrative Secretary Renuka Perera said the party would consider nominating suitable persons to continue the vision of the President to form a Government with qualified personnel. Perera said the party would conduct a screening process to give nominations to the best, most suitable people.

However, before the Presidential Election, the SLPP said they were open to contest under a different symbol at the General Election after the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) agreed to back Rajapaksa.