Abolishing the presidency after elections is like a phobia: Min. Ranjith Madduma Bandara

Colombo (News 1st): Three Cabinet Ministers convened a media briefing to comment on the cabinet meeting held yesterday (September 19). Minister of Public Administration Ranjith Madduma Bandara noted that abolishing the post of the President after an election is called seems like an election phobia, especially minister Rauff Hakeem voiced against this. He noted that each and every one of them are ready to field Sajith Premadasa as the Presidential candidate and secure a massive win and most UNP'ers are against the abolition, and they don't know whether the SLPP tried to prevent Gotabaya Rajapaksa from contesting the Presidential election or if another group tried to prevent Sajith Premadasa from contesting. Meanwhile, journalists also inquired about the party's steps to select the presidential candidate. Responding to this Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said when the matter was discussed in the previous working committee meeting the Prime Minister said the Parliamentary group and the Working Committee will jointly decide. Adding to this Ravindra Samaraweera noted that he believes they should go a step forward by including the members of the United National Front on various occasions and getting their support as well. When questioned if there is a plan of contesting independently if Sajith Premadasa is not given the candidacy, Minister Bandara noted that they haven't thought about it as he will come forward as the candidate of the UNP.