UNP will follow proper process to select Presidential candidate

Wednesday, 24 July 2019 00:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Candidate to be named following discussion with alliance parties, to be announced 5 Aug.
Ravi K defended party position, says party not an inheritance, stresses need to work as a team

United National Party will select its Presidential candidate for the upcoming election with the agreement of the parties who come aboard in a broader alliance, which is to be formed early next month.

Ravi Karunanayake

Refuting claims that a decision has already been made on the Party candidate, highly placed sources in the party said that the decision will only be taken after a discussion between the Party Working Committee and member parties of the alliance, set to be formed on 5August.

“The decision will be taken by the Working Committee after discussing among themselves and parties that will be part of the alliance,” a UNP MP who did not wish to be named told Daily FT.

Conflicting reports surfaced yesterday about the Parliamentary group meeting held on Monday night at Temple Trees, with different versions of the exchange between party seniors Sajith Premadasa and Ravi Karunanayake.

“The Prime Minister asked us not to speak up, to avoid a clash,” Minister Wajira Abeywardana claimed.

Dismissing the discussion as only a “trivial personal matter,” he denied there was any reaction to Karunanayake’s claims from the audience.

“The audience was silent, no boos,” he claimed, refuting claims that the former Finance Minister was booed out of the gathering.

According to some MPs present, Karunanayake responded to accusations levelled by Premadasa and defended his position. Karunanayake also stressed on his “contribution” during the 52-day constitutional crisis.

Karunanayake reportedly told his critics that the UNP, for which he has worked for many years, was “no one’s inheritance,” and emphasised the need for “team spirit.”

Karunanayake also lashed out at Premadasa’s inability to win his electorate, while also insisting that those who joined the UNP from other parties should not be deciding on the Presidential candidate.