Can’t accept PM post without party leadership: Sajith

New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate who made his first public appearance today after the presidential election said he would not accept the prime ministerial candidature if he was not appointed as the new leader of UNP.

Mr Premadasa who met his party activists and voters in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte said he was not in a position to accept the party’s prime ministerial candidature unless he was given the party leadership. 

“I don’t want the prime ministerial candidate of the party without the leadership as I am not a person who bows down to conditions,” he said.

He said he was willing to accept the party leadership if a majority of the UNPers wanted him as the leader. 

“I will accept the leadership of UNP if a majority of the party members wants me to. However, I don’t intend to capture the leadership following stubborn moves. I also do not intend to divide the UNP and create factions in the party but would like to unite it,” he said. 

He said it was of paramount importance that the UNP won the general elections as such a scenario would help maintain a balance of power. 

Responding to a question raised by party members as to whether he thought that naming him as the party’s candidate late contributed to his defeat, Mr Premadasa said he was able to attract 5.6 million though the official naming of the candidate came late. 

Asked as to why he was quiet after the presidential election, the UNP Deputy Leader said he was quiet as he needed a recess after heavy campaigning for the presidential election. (Yohan Perera)

Pix by Pradeep Pathirana