Senior UNP members hold discussions with R Sampanthan over presidential candidate

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A meeting took place yesterday (September 15) between Tamil National Alliance Leader R. Sampanthan and several senior ministers of the United National Party. TNA Leader R. Sampanthan stated he held discussions with UNP Ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Malik Samarawickrama and Rajitha Senaratne. The TNA was also represented by parliamentarian M.A Sumanthiran. R. Sampanthan, Leader of the TNA noted that he was requested to support Minister Sajith Premadasa in the presidential election as he has the support of the majority. He added that he contacted the premier and they agreed to meet. Following an event in Colombo, journalists posed questions to Minister Malik Samarawickreme regarding the meeting. Minister Malik Samarawickrama, accepted that there were discussions and they would continue. Malik Samarawickrama noted that they would select a capable candidate for the election and its not a secret that the general public demands minister Sajith Premadasa as their presidential candidate. He further added that the prime minister is one of his sincerest friends, and their friendship has spanned for nearly sixty years, however, it was necessary for him to be presented with the truth. He went on to note that the PM would always take the right decision along with the party. Selvarajah Gajendran, General Secretary of the Tamil National People's Front stated that the TNA supports the government as they protected the government during the vote on the motion of no-confidence. He added that as a token of gratitude, they gave R. Sampanthan a mansion with a 1 1/2 acre plot of land and vehicles. He questioned the requirement of further discussions with Ranil Wickremesinghe and questioned is it for more benefits for R. Sampanthan? He finally added that R. Sampanthan must not deceive people and it was his time to leave.