UNF to name Prez candidate next week

The UNF will announce its presidential candidate next week, Public Administration and Management Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.

He said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and UNP's Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa will soon meet leaders of the constituent partners of the proposed United National Front (UNF) led by the UNP to finalise the policy and work programme of the UNF.

They are expected to meet the leaders of the TNA, SLMC, All Ceylon Makkal Congress, Tamil Progressive Alliance, Ceylon Workers Congress, Democratic People's Front and the Hela Urumaya.

"We hope to accommodate suggestions if any from our constituent partners or introduce amendments to the draft policy statement and work programme of the UNF as all stakeholder of the UNF are expected to campaign in one voice at the presidential election campaign," the Minister said. (Sandun A Jayasekera)