The leaders of the political parties aligned with the United National Party (UNP) met yesterday with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and officially endorsed the decision to contest the presidential elections as a front, under the ‘swan’ symbol, Daily Mirror learns.

These parties work with the UNP as the United National Front (UNF) currently.

In addition to the Prime Minister, nominee for presidential candidacy Sajith Premadasa and Chairman Minister Malik Samarawickrama attended the meeting on behalf of the UNP. The others who attended were Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Minister Rauff Hakeem, All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader Rishad Bathiudeen, Tamil People’s Front leaders Mano Ganeshan, Palani Digambaram and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) leader Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

The party leaders formally approved the nomination of Mr. Premadasa as the presidential candidate.

The UNP convention will be conducted on October 3. In addition to the UNP members, the entire parliamentary group of the government will be invited for it.

Also, the party leaders decided to meet again tomorrow for further discussion about the election process. (Kelum Bandara)