Will announce candidate when Prez. Poll is announced - SLPP

COLOMBO (News1st); The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna says it will announce its Presidential candidate following the announcement of the Presidential Election.

Speaking to media following the SLPP meeting today Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said he was one of the people who formed the SLPP and doesn't want to see the party destroyed.

He added therefore he is not prepared to comment on the SLPP candidate.

MP Ranatunga said his personal stance is that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should be elected President, as he restored law and order in the country following the Aragalaya and rebuilt the economy.

He said therefore everyone must respect him, adding however that the party will reach a suitable decision at the appropriate time.

When asked if he also supports Minister Ranatunga's stance, MP Tissa Kutti Arachchi said the SLPP reached a decision to support the President till the end of his term, and Minister Ranatunga's comments are in line with that decision.

MP Tissa Kutti Arachchi said accordingly various SLPP members hold Ministerial positions within the government and they will continue to support the President. 

He said however the decision of the government and the decision of the SLPP are not one and the same, and reiterated that the SLPP is not afraid to face elections.

The MP stressed that the reason to withhold the name of the SLPP candidate is part of the party's election campaign adding that the Presidential candidate will be announced within a week.