UNP to form grand political alliance to back Ranil at Presidential Polls

2 January 2024 02:09 am Views - 1885

Colombo, Jan. 2 (Daily Mirror) - President Ranil Wickremesinghe has embarked on forming a grand alliance to back him at the Presidential Elections in the New Year, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said yesterday.

“We are talking to many political parties and many will join us to back Mr. Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Elections this year,” he said in response to a question raised by journalists as to whether the UNP had begun any discussion with anyone from SJB.

“President Wickremesinghe will surely be contesting the Presidential Elections,” he added.

He said Mr. Wickremesinghe and the UNP does not expect Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa to become a contender. “We don’t expect Mr. Premadasa to contest the Presidential Elections as he would be left without a formidable team as time goes on,” Mr. Range Bandara said.

Also, he said President Ranil Wickremesinghe had informed the party seniors that he does not want to continue with a high percentage of Value Added Tax (VAT).

“People in this country will have to bear up for a limited period as the President himself had informed us that he intends to reduce VAT whenever it becomes possible,” he said in this regard.