MR invited to contest from Kurunegala

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been invited to contest the Parliament elections from the Kurunegala District.

Speaking to reporters in Kandy yesterday, former Minister T.B. Ekanayake said that Rajapaksa will contest the election under the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) as this was confirmed by UPFA General Secretary Susil Premjayantha.

He says a very positive political environment had developed in the country after the UPFA agreed to give nominations to Rajapaksa.

“The UPFA General Secretary gave in writing the approval for Rajapaksa to contest under the UPFA,” he said.

Ekanayake said that Rajapaksa was later invited to contest from Kurunegala as he can be assured of obtaining the highest number of votes at the Parliament election.

The former Minister claimed that President Maithripala Sirisena had also agreed to give Rajapaksa nominations but was now facing pressure from some people around him.

Ekanayake said that all UPFA leaders welcomed the decision taken by President Maithripala Sirisena to give nominations to Rajapaksa.

He also said that the UPFA agrees with the proposed policy that anyone found guilty of corruption not be given nominations to contest the election.

Meanwhile, former MP Pavithra Wanniarachchi has invited Rajapaksa to contest from the Ratnapura District at the next general election. (ER)