The United National Party (UNP) never wooed former media minister Keheliya Rambukwella to join the party, General Secretary Kabir Hashim said today.

Mr. Hashim, who responded to a statement made by Mr. Rambukwella that he did not have any intention of joining the UNP, said it was Mr. Rambukwella who wanted to join the party soon after the presidential election.

“ Mr Rambukwella met Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe soon after the presidential election and expressed his desire to join the UNP. He made the same request sometime later as well,” Mr. Hashim said adding that the UNP would only welcome honest people.

He told Daily Mirror that several non-UNPers had expressed a desire to contest at the next general election on the UNP ticket and as such several slots would be allocated to them in the nomination lists. Mr. Hashim said several other political parties would also contest under the elephant symbol.

One of those listed to contest on the UNP ticket is former Panadura Urban Council Chairman and JVP's 1999 presidential candidate Nandana Gunatillake who was last week appointed as the UNP organiser for Panadura. (Yohan Perera)