Secret ballot will decide the ideal candidate : Minister Mangala Samaraweera

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister Mangala Samaraweera stated that a secret ballot was necessary to decide on the presidential candidate of the United National Party. Mangala Samaraweera noted that the UNP is prepared to contest the presidential election. He added that minister Sajith Premadasa is willing to contest the presidential election and today(September 18) the media declares that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has expressed his interest in running for the presidency as well. The Minister added that as a democratic party, the working committee and the parliamentary group need to hold a secret ballot to select the candidate. He finally stated that they are following the nomination of the candidate all the parties within the UNP would wholeheartedly support him/her. Meanwhile, Parliamentarian Palitha Range Bandara noted that their presidential candidate would be announced soon. Palitha Range Bandara added that Working Committee will convene next week and come to a conclusion on the presidential candidate. MP added that there is no conflict within the party and merely sharing their own thoughts with each other. He added however, everyone has a right to have their opinion but if someone decides to arbitrarily pursue their opinions leaving the UNP, they would find catastrophe. He stated that Gamini Dissanayake and Lalith Athulathmudali left the party and they all ended back in UNP.