UNP disputes Ravi’s nomination for National List slot, EC gazettes Ravi’s name

“I have been duly nominated”

“I will definitely  be going to parliament”-Ravi

By Yohan Perera

The United National Party (UNP) disassociated itself from the nomination of its member former MP Ravi Karunanayake on the National List to Parliament and vowed to institute disciplinary action against him.   

The UNP did not field candidates under its elephant symbol this time for the November 14 General Election. However, it fielded candidates in alliance with other parties including Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) and a breakaway group of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) under the gas cylinder symbol of New Democratic Front (NDF).    

Its General Secretary Shyamala Perera has informed the Election Commission in writing that Mr.Ravi Karunanayake is nominated as the MP on the National List.  However, UNP chairman Wajira Abeywardena told Daily Mirror that the UNP wanted to nominate former Ratnapura District MP Thalatha Athukorala or Ronald Perera but the NDF has decided otherwise. He said the UNP had nothing to do with this nomination.b Asked about the nominee for the other National List slot, he said it would be decided today. 

Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake when contacted by Daily Mirror said he will be definitely going to Parliament as he is duly nominated. “ My name is duly sent to the Election Commission as I am duly nominated,” Karunanayake said. 

The full National List of the NDF   

1. Dinesh Gunawardena  

2. Shyamila Perera  

3. Mohamed Faiszer Musthapha  

4. Tiran Alles  

5. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena  

6. Jayantha Weerasinghe  

7. Senthil Thondaman  

8. Suren Raghavan  

9. Ronald Chithranjan Perera  

10. Ravi Karunanayake  

11. Thalatha Athukorala  

12. Kanishka Suranimala Rajapaksha  

13. Muhammed Mustapha Anwar  

14. Nissanka Nanayakkara  

15. Sagala Abhayawickrama   

16. Siripala Amarasinghe  

17. Weerakumara Dissanayake  

18. Rashdan Rahuman  

19. Nimalka Fernando  

20. Damayanthi Jayasekara  

21. Newton Peiris  

22. Leslie Devendra  

23. Mahinda Senarath Bandara  

24. Adambawa Uthuma Lebbe  

25. Mohamed Muzammil  

26. Wellalage Bandula  

27. Sirimasiri Hapuarachchi  

28. Piumi Senarath Samarathunga  

29. Keerthi Sri Weerasinghe