UNP-led alliance to contest Nuwara Eliya under elephant symbol?

• Final  decision will be made within a few days 

By Yohan Perera   

United National Party (UNP)- led alliance are in the  process of finalising arrangements to contest the General Election under  the gas cylinder while a final decision is also pending on contesting  the Nuwara Eliya District under the elephant symbol as the alliance  partner Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) requested.   

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene told Daily Mirror that  some groups including CWC who backed Mr. Wickremesinghe at the  Presidential Election suggested that they should contest in districts  such as Nuwara Eliya with concentrations of estate sector Tamils under  the elephant symbol.   

“We will most probably contest under the elephant symbol at  least in the Nuwara Eliya District where there is a high population of  estate Tamils. This will be a very likely scenario, but the final  decision will be made within a few days,” he said.   

Accordingly, the group will be contesting for eight seats  in Nuwara Eliya District under the elephant symbol if a final decision  is made.   

“We have also carried out discussions on nominations and  final decisions will be made within the coming days,” Mr. Wijewardene  added.   

Meanwhile, former MP Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said the  alliance will finalise its nominations by next week. “We have no issues  with regard to slots which each partner of the alliance will get and a final decision will be made within a few days,” he told Daily Mirror.   

“There is a suggestion that the alliance should contest  Nuwara Eliya under the elephant symbol and a final decision on this matter  will be made soon,” he added.   

Also, Mr. Yapa said almost everyone who backed Mr. Wickremesinghe are expected to contest the General Election.