Maithri to also contest for Presidency?
Former President Maithripala Sirisena is also to be nominated for the Presidential vote in Parliament next week, ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ learns from reliable sources.
It is said that Sajith Premadasa has also pledged to back him.
Meanwhile, several members of the independent MP group backing Dullas Alahapperuma are also planning to back him, reports say.
Earlier today, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had announced that they will back Ranil Wickremesinghe at the vote.
Speaking at a media briefing today (15), the party’s general-secretary Sagara Kariyawasam says that the decision was taken after former minister Dullas Alahapperuma announced his intention to contest for the presidency himself.
However, SLPP chairman – Prof. G.L. Peiris said that since a candidate from SLPP has come forward to contest for the Presidency, the party’s candidate should be supported and not an outsider.
However, political sources say that Prof. Peiris holds no power in the party despite his position.Meanwhile, ‘The Leader’ has reported that a group of individuals have urged Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint Harsha de Silva as the PM.