COLOMBO(News 1st) – The Deniyaya electorate Bala Mandala meeting of the United National Party was held yesterday (October 13).

Sagala Ratnayake, Minister of Ports Shipping and Southern Development noted that several were hoping that the UNP would be torn into two and they themselves were worried it would go down to that; however, he knew that they would come to a reasonable and wise decision.

He went on to note that as UNP members they would go on to support the decision of the party and they were tasked with electing Sajith Premadasa as the president of the country. The minister added that they are enthusiastic to appoint one of their own after 25 years as the president of Sri Lanka.

UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra acknowledged that the current government had its own flaws, however, at least the people of this country could express themselves freely.

She questioned how it was during the past government, whether the journalists had the freedom to express themselves according to their conscience? She added that back then the people had to stay in hiding if they were to reprimand Mahinda Rajapaksa and worry that the phone connection would be tapped.

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