Presidential Elections: SLPP in no rush to pick candidate: Sagara

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is still undecided on its candidate for the Presidential Election and will make a decision on it based on future developments, it is learnt.

With the Presidential Election scheduled to be held this year, several mainstream political parties such as the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the United National Party (UNP), the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP), and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) have revealed their plans regarding the same.

     

The Daily Morning queried SLPP General Secretary and Parliamentarian Sagara Kariyawasam regarding their preparations for the Presidential Election, and he said that they had not made any related decision thus far. “We have not made any decision on the matter nor will we make one any time soon. The relevant decisions will be made as a party. We will do it considering future developments.”

Possible candidates who may contest the Presidential Election include incumbent President and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe; SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa; NPP Leader and MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake; and former President, incumbent MP, and SLFP Leader Maithripala Sirisena.

Against the backdrop of Wickremesinghe having stated that both Presidential and Parliamentary Elections will be held this year, several new political parties, movements, alliances, and election candidates are currently being talked about. MPs who recently became independent in Parliament have formed a few such political movements, and some of them have hinted at an alliance with the main Parliamentary Opposition SJB. The Election Commission has also stated that the Presidential Election must be held before 16 October, and expressed their confidence in receiving relevant financial provisions.