Sajith signs nominations ; calls for unity to defeat COVID - 19

COLOMBO (News1st): Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Sajith Premadasa, who signed his nomination papers to contest the general election today, called for unity to curb the spread of COVID -19. "We can overcome this challenge. Do not be fooled with fake and unverified news. Do not panic. Act intelligently.," Premadasa said. "We must all be united when facing this crisis, and determined to overcome this challenge." Premadasa, who signed the nomination papers to contest from the Colombo District, highlighted that the people were important more than poll. Meanwhile, the Samagi Jana Balavegaya and the United National Party (UNP), signed their nomination papers today. S.M Marikkar and Patali Champika Ranawaka signed their nominations to contest under the Samagi Jana Balavegaya ticket from the Colombo District. Several candidates also signed their nominations at the Samagi Jana Balavegaya headquarters in Ethul Kotte. Dr. Harsha de Silva signed the nomination papers for the Samagi Jana Balavegaya after resigning from all his portfolios of the UNP. De Silva said that he had informed UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe about his resignation. "I have no need to run away and hide my decision. The leader asked me to stay but I will not revoke my decision," he remarked. Nominations for several districts were signed at the UNP headquarters this morning. Former minister Wajira Abeywardena submitted the nomination list on behalf of the Galle District for the United National Party Nalin Hewage submitted the nomination list on behalf of the Galle District for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. The Maubima Janatha Pakshaya, Socialist Equality Party, the Jathika Sangwardhana Peramuna, and several other independent groups also handed over nominations from the Colombo District. Nagananda Kodithuwakku handed over his nomination as an independent group from the Colombo District. Palitha Range Bandara who heads the Puttalam District for the United National Party, submitted the nomination list for the UNP. The Ceylon Workers Congress, Socialist Equality Party and several parties submitted their respective nomination lists for the Nuwara Eliya district. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna's nomination list for the MATARA district was submitted by District Leader Dullas Alahapperuma. Sunil Handunnetti submitted the nomination list for the Matara District on behalf of the Jathika Jana Balawegaya. The Jathika Jana Balawegaya, Tamil National Alliance, and Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman also submitted nominations for the Digamadulla district. Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan signed the papers to contest from the Ahila Ilankai Tamil Mahasabha. The United National party's nomination list for the HAMBANTOTA district was also handed over today. The list was submitted by District Leader former minister Ananda Kularathna. The nomination list for the Jathika Jana Balawegaya for the Hambantota district was submitted by District Leader Nihal Galappaththi. The Janasatha Peramuna also handed over its nomination list for the Hambantota District today. Vijitha Herath handed over the nomination list for the Gampaha District on behalf of the Jathika Jana Balawegaya, while the Janasetha Peramuna also handed over its nomination list for the Gampaha District. The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi submitted its nomination list for the Trincomalee district today. The list was submitted by party leader R. Sampanthan. Three recognised political parties and two independent groups submitted nominations for the Trincomalee District. The Jathika Jana Balawegaya submitted its nomination lists for the Badulla, Kalutara, Kegalle, and Anuradhapura districts. The Tamil National Alliance submitted their nomination list for the Vanni electoral district by the district leader Selvam Adaikalanathan. The nomination list for the Jathika Jana Balawegaya was handed over by Upali Samarasinghe. Former Chief Minister C.V. Vigneswaran submitted the nomination list on behalf of the Tamil People's Alliance for the Jaffna District today. The nomination list for the Jaffna District for the Tamil National Alliance was submitted by Mavai Senathirajah.