He also noted that there is a set of democratic reforms that was initiated by the United National Front (UNF) government in 2015 across many fields and he would obtain the input of all stakeholders and take forward these initiatives.
Premadasa vowed to ensure maximum power devolution within an undivided Sri Lanka, allow electoral reforms and implement the mechanism initiated regarding the presidential system.
Having being nominated as the UNF presidential candidate Premadasa convened a media briefing yesterday (26) and said this in response to media queries on whether he would abolish the executive presidency once he is elected as the President.
“Today the UNP Working Committee and the parliamentary group nominated me as the presidential candidate. I render my gratitude to Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Working Committee and all those who had faith in me.
With my nomination our country has taken a turn in the right direction and this is a new beginning for the people and I will steer the country towards a highly developed direction. I will commit to national service and I seek the assistance of everyone in my new journey. I will ensure that every citizen can live in peace and prosperity within an undivided and united country. I will ensure that an era where humanity prevails is created in this country,” he said.
Premadasa noted that he would contest under the Swan sign and has not agreed to any condition. He said he would give leadership to the UNF for the defeat of the SLPP and vowed to commit to the abolishment of the Executive Presidency as pledged in 2015.
anil will continue as PM and party leader - Akila
Meanwhile, addressing a media briefing at Sirikotha UNP headquarters yesterday its General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that Ranil Wickremesinghe would continue in his post as the Prime Minister and Party Leader.
The election campaign would be steered by the UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and the party Chairman Kabir Hashim. A meeting to inform the UNP and UNF electoral organisers would take place on September 30thin Colombo.
The UNP Convention is scheduled to be held on October 03rdat the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium at 10.00 am and the inaugural public rally of the UNP led coalition is scheduled to be held at the Galle Face Green on October 10that 2.00 pm.
Will form a UNP led coalition government - Kabir
Joining the media briefing UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim said that a UNP led government would be established for the next 6 years. He noted that the assistance of the UNF members would also be obtained.
The Aruna newspaper reported that a meeting was held at Temple Trees yesterday with the participation of the UNP seniors under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The meeting had been attended by Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Rajitha Senaratne, Navin Dissanayake, Ravi Karunanayake and Lakshman Kiriella.
It is reported that Sajith Premadasa had agreed to five proposals that was presented at this meeting. Premadasa had also requested that these agreements not be disclosed to the public.
Swan
The new party under the Swan sign which Sajith Premadasa would be contesting is the Democratic Front. President Maithripala Sirisena and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka too contested under this sign.
The leader of this party is Shalila Munasinghe and the Secretary is Shamila Perera.
