UNP MPs request PM to decide on the presidential candidate after convening Working Committee and Parliamentary Group

Colombo (News 1st): A group of MP's are compiling a letter requesting the Prime Minister to take steps to conduct a confidential vote by convening the UNP Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group in order to select the party Presidential candidate. Expressing views regarding this Minister Dr. Rajith Senaratne noted that they couldn't put even one of those thieves in the previous government who stole billions of state funds behind bars. He added that these thieves are presented before this country as presidential candidates. He pointed out that they do not have a crisis in the party and even if there is they will sort them within their party. Minister Senaratne noted that they will sort their problems and will present their strongest candidate as the Presidential candidate. He added that they will demonstrate how they will challenge the Rajapaksas for the second time. He noted that the SLPP and SLFP say that they do not have any problems, however, whenever they start speaking the first word that comes out is Rajapaksa. He pointed out that their party isn't like that; the UNP for the first time in history had a labour leader, who was called Ranasinghe Premadasa born in the Sanchi Arachchige Estate who went on to become President. The Minister noted that this is the poor man's party and adds that they have the ability to form a broader and strong alliance. Chairman of the UNP Kabir Hashim noted that they have planned to appoint a presidential candidate from the UNP who will with all certainty be the president by 2020. He noted that they will present the candidate that the people of this country are asking for and he will win the election. Meanwhile, MP S.M. Marikar notes that the UNP demands 80% of the power of the new alliance that is being formed. He added that parliamentarians of the UNP intend on requesting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to convene the working committee of the UNP and to then decide the presidential candidate. He noted that this request is adhering to the party constitution. The Parliamentarian noted that yesterday 26 backbench members of the UNP held a discussion and decided to nominate Deputy Leader Minister Sajith Premadasa as the UNP presidential candidate. When journalists questioned if there would be a good competition, if Minister Sajith Premadasa is presented by the UNP and  Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the flower bud party, he said they will win by 800,000 votes.