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UNP deputy leader Sajith Premadasa said today that he and the party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe were of the same mindset and was working towards achieving victory at the forthcoming elections.
“As an active member of the party I have been involved in the nomination process at election time. The UNP has always worked together and its members are united in achieving victory. There is no question about that,” he told a news conference.
Mr. Premadasa said he would be glad if former Army Commander SarathFonseka joined the UNP and he would give his fullest support to Mr. Fonseka.
“Personally I will be overjoyed if Mr.Fonseka joined the UNP. He will have my blessings and fullest support. There is no doubt that he will join hands with us and there is no need for any conditions when he joins us,” he said.
Mr. Premadasa said the Civil Defense Forces were facing severe hardshipsbecause ofthe lack of proper facilities.
“The officers were not employed on a permanent basis and they are being paid a small daily allowance. The Civil Defense Forces protected the border villages enabling the Army to fight the LTTE on the front lines. For people who have served this country in such a way, it is sad to see them working in farms and factories on asmall daily allowance. I am asking the government whether this is how it treats soldiers who helped to attain victory at the war,” he said.
Mr. Premadasa said the party would contest elections while protecting the individuality of the party. They would not join hands with other parties but would nominate candidates from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. (Nabeela Hussain and Nishan Casseem)
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