Sajith for President, Ranil to retain permiership

Colombo (News 1st) - State Minister of Transportation and Civil Aviation Ashok Abeysinghe convened a media briefing in Kurunegala today. Journalists questioned the State Minister regarding reports published on a weekend newspaper which stated that the leadership of the UNP had been given to Sajith Premadasa. Abeysinghe noted that they are yet to be officially informed of such a decision. While noting that Deputy Leader Premadasa is one of the most popular individuals in the party, Abeysinghe stated that a decision on the party leadership would be taken by the Leader of the UNP together with the Working Committee and the UNP Parliamentary group. He noted that the decision would be made in the future prior to facing an election. The state minister noted that a majority of MPs in the UNP support the move to appoint Sajith Premadasa as the party leader and that he had personally endorsed Premadasa for leadership since 2010. He noted that the MPs believe that Wickremesinghe would take the right decision in order to ensure the UNP's victory in the upcoming elections. When asked if a Sajith Premadasa leadership would spell trouble for Ranil Wickremesinghe, Abeysinghe responded by saying that if Sajith Premadasa contests for the Presidency the Premiership would be occupied by Ranil Wickremesinghe. He added that even according to the current constitution the PM has more powers than the President, and noted that there won't be any issue.