Thewarapperuma decides to retain candidature

By Ajith Siriwardana

Kalutara District UNP candidate Palitha Thewarapperuma, who threatened to withdraw his candidature, said yesterday he would resume his election campaign as the Election Commission Chairman informed him that he could not legally withdraw his candidature.

He told the media outside the Election Commission that he earlier submitted his resignation to the EC Chairman but he refused to accept the letter stating that the candidates could not withdraw after handing over their nominations.  “I wanted to legally withdraw my candidature and I met the EC Chairman and submitted my resignation letter. He told me that I cannot legally do it. As such, I will  commence my campaign even more effectively,” he said.

Mr. Thewarapperuma on Tuesday said he was concerned about the harassment faced by him and others in his family on political grounds and had decided to withdraw from politics and would take care of his wife and son.