SLFP 15 lays out conditions for Gota’s presidential candidacy

• MP Dilan Perera says Gota must shun Kamal Gunaratne and Sarath Weerasekara
• Says his personal choice between Rajapaksa brothers would be Chamal for presidential candidate
• Slams Sarath Fonseka for criticising Army Commander’s appearance

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party group of 15 yesterday said that if Gotabaya Rajapaksa had any presidential aspirations, he must distance himself from individuals such as Major General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) and Retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara (Rtd). 

SLFP group of 15 MP Dilan Perera told Daily FT that if former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had any hopes of contesting the next presidential election, he would have to garner the minority vote. 

“If Gotabaya Rajapaksa wants to be a presidential candidate, he must be careful from now on. He has to stop associating people like Kamal Gunaratne and Sarath Weerasekara, who have been going around spreading racist remarks and sentiments. He must canvass the minority vote,” MP Perera said. 

Perera went on to say that if had to choose between the Rajapaksa brothers, apart from the former President, as the next presidential candidate, he would choose Chamal Rajapaksa. “If I had to choose between the Chamal, Basil and Gotabaya, I would pick Chamal Rajapaksa as the next presidential candidate. However, we will have to wait and see who gets the support of the former President Rajapaksa.”

He noted that the SLFP group of 15 would back a candidate supported by the Joint Opposition. 

“We in the Opposition will be supporting a presidential candidate selected by the Joint Opposition, and is accepted by all in the coalition; against the UNP’s Ranil Wickremesinghe.”

In addition, MP Perera slammed Minister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka for criticising current Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake’s appearance.

“Who is Sarath Fonseka to criticise the current Army Commander’s appearance? What relevance does being bald have? Fonseka is the one who said that Tamils were second class citizens in this country,” MP Perera said, charging that Fonseka’s rank of Field Marshal was attained illegitimately.

(SG)