Presidential candidate 2020?

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Political activists of the SLPP expressed the following views on the presidential candidate of their party. MP Shehan Semasinghe shared that Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be the next presidential candidate yet it is to be verified by Mahinda Rajapaksa. Both MP Udaya Gammanpila and UPFA MP Dullas Alahapperuma noted that they intend to reveal their presidential candidate on August 11th. MP Dullas Alahapperuma noted that they will also present the 100-day action plan to end the current government. MP Dallas Alahapperuma went on to note that Basil Rajapaksa's statement on Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the presidential candidate was politically unethical and it was a matter to be discussed among all the parties and alliances. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Leader of the ‎Democratic Left Front‎ also noted that the announcement of the presidential candidate is a collective decision and they would come to an agreement following the consultation of everyone. Both Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Raja Kollure agreed that opposition leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa's statement will play a significant role in the matter. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Opposition Leader expressed that it was not the time time to argue over the presidential candidate and they would present a patriotic, sensitive, and comprehensive candidate. Meanwhile, inquiries were made of the potential presidential candidate of the United National Party from the several activists of the party. UNP MP, Thushara Indunil noted that the opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa is in a dilemma to name which Rajapaksa as the presidential candidate for 2020. He added that they had no such issue in their party and they will present their presidential candidate at the right time. He went on to note that they need a new candidate who would hold robbers from both parties accountable. Ashok Abeysinghe, State Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation noted that they were unable to present a candidate from the UNP party and this year they intend to present one from the UNP itself. He shared that the UNP has a great history in the country and they will appoint a common candidate like Minister Sajith Premadasa. Daya Gamage, Minister of Primary Industries and Social Empowerment noted that they would come up with a collective decision regarding the presidential candidate and it could even be himself. He added that there are several potential candidates in the party and that the presidential candidate could also come from a family with a political background but the ultimate decision falls on the working committee to decide on a presidential candidate. He finally noted that the presidential candidate from the SLPP would always be a Rajapaksa. P. Harrison, Minister of Agriculture noted that it was too soon to be agitated over the presidential candidate and the president has to gazette the presidential election to come up with a presidential candidate.