Prime Minister Wickremesinghe summons close associates to Temple Trees

Colombo (News 1st): The UNP Leader once again held talks with those close to him at Temple Trees yesterday (September 12). The Prime Minister was summoned to appear before the Presidential Commission probing fraud & corruption in the present government regarding the Rajagiriya building leased by the Ministry of Agriculture. However, citing he had to visit Mannar, the Prime Minister informed his unavailability to the commission of inquiry. Local newspapers reported, before heading to Mannar, Ranil Wickremesinghe has called his close associates from Kelaniya and Biyagama and held discussions. According to the reports, Wickremesinghe had said if he can win the Presidential Election he would come forward as a candidate and if he fails he would leave. The reports note Wickremesinghe had said as Leader of the United National Party, he is duty-bound to secure a victory for the Party and the UNP-led Alliance, and if he cannot achieve it, he has no issue in leaving. Wickremesinghe had further said at this meeting, a person who held various positions until the age of 70, retiring from politics would not be difficult for him. Making a comment regarding the situation former Pradeshiya Sabha Member of Biyagama Sydney Mendis questioned the Prime Minister as to who the 77 seniors he spoke to; pointing out that they are the seniors of whom none were present at the recent local government elections. Mendis went onto note that the people he speaks to maybe those who sit in front when he goes somewhere. However, he said they are not the seniors who walked from door to door and from village to village to secure votes for the UNP and secure a win for the party. He added that the sentiment at present in the villages is to make the party win. He pointed out that the youth in the country want Sajith Premadasa. Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P Perera commenting on the matter noted that what he understands is,  that the PM is in favour of allowing a talented and popular person to secure a victory at the elections. However, he noted that he may also be wrong.