Dinesh to remain as PM if Ranil wins Presidential poll?

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Vajira Abeywardena today hinted that incumbent Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will continue to be the Premier if the incumbent President emerges victorious at the Presidential election this year.

“Late Ranasinghe Premadasa was the Prime Minister when late President J.R. Jayewardene won the Presidential election in 1982, and Premadasa continued as the Premier.

"The late Ratnasiri Wickramanayake was the Prime Minister when Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga won the Presidential election in 1999. 

"Wickramanayake continued as the Prime Minister even after Ms. Kumaratunga formed her second Cabinet in 1999. 

"Therefore, it becomes the norm for the person who holds the Prime Minister’s post when an incumbent President emerges victorious at a Presidential poll to continue with the same post,” Abeywardena said in response to a question raised by a journalist.