Mahinda won’t be UPFA’s PM candidate, says Rajitha

The party will not give nominations to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the forthcoming general election and as well as it will never name him (Mahinda) as the UPFA’s prime ministerial candidate, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Rajitha senaratne said.

The observation was made at the weekly press briefing held at the Government Information Department on Thursday (18).

“The six-member committee has also discussed this matter with the President, last evening. President Maithripala Sirisena will never field Rajapaksa as the prime ministerial candidate. There will be no chance for him to enter parliament through the National List as well,” the Minister added. 

A committee comprising of six members was appointed to coordinate between President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, with regard to the future affairs of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) including its main coalition partner – SLFP on June 16. The committee was appointed during a meeting held to discuss the prevailing political situation in the country and the future political course of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) chaired by President Sirisena.