island.lk

Symbol will be decided on in due course
Govt. to hold Presidential Election


The United National Front has decided that General Sarath Fonseka will be its Presidential Candidate, but no official announcement would be made, until the government Gazettes the election notification.

Senior Vice President of the UNP,John Ameratunga told The Island that after several rounds of talks the UNF leaders agreed on Fonseka as their candidate.

Asked if Fonseka was agreeable to the UNF’s 10 point policy statement, he said that unless there was agreement, the alliance would not have picked Fonseka.

Questioned as to what the UNF’s symbol would be, Ameratunga said that it was being discussed and a decision will be taken shortly.

According to the conditions laid down, Fonseka has to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the UNF, to the effect that in the event he is elected President, he will offer the TNA and JVP important portfolios, establish all the independent commissions required for good governance, resettle the northern IDP’s in their original homes, abolish the Executive Presidency and appoint UNF leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the caretaker Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday afternoon, decided to hold a Presidential Election, but the notification was not Gazetted at the time of going to press.