(UTV|COLOMBO) – UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday insisted that it was he who chose Sajith Premadasa as the NDF Presidential candidate but also argued that there was “no point in blaming each other” for the election defeat. Addressing news media at the UNP headquarters, Sri Kotha, Pitakotte, the ex-Premier refuted charges levelled by a section of the party to the effect that he tried to disrupt and undermine the NDF Presidential election campaign.
He said he “hoped to bring forward new leaders who can win in the future interests of the Party”.
Wickremesinghe thanked those involved for the contribution made by Sirikotha and the party machinery during the Presidential election. He emphasised that it was he who proposed the name of Sajith Premadasa as their Presidential candidate.
He claimed that after accepting the proposal to name Premadasa as the NDF candidate, they had faced the Presidential election along with the other parties in the alliance.
He insisted that he “could categorically state and assure that Sirikotha offered maximum support and co-operation to the election campaign”. Wickremesinghe said he rejected the allegation that the election campaign was disrupted. Such a thing was never done by him or by Sirikotha.
He said during the campaign, the main party members and Ministers and MPs were assigned specific responsibilities.
Wickremesinghe claimed that he took charge of the campaign in the North and East and he was able to increase the voting results in the region. But unfortunately there was a sharp drop in votes mustered in the seven Southern Provinces which resulted in their defeat. Although they won certain districts they suffered overall defeat.
They have realised that their actions such as stabilising democracy, promoting vast development and law and order and improvement of social services did not receive the expected response.
Wickremesinghe said they should find out the causes for the UNP to lose its Sinhala Buddhist foundation which had not happened earlier. As much as taking decisions for the future they should also analyse this election result. It was then that they could go forward. He said there was no point in pointing the finger of accusation at each other.
He said the UNP had no responsibility regarding financial matters. He said he totally rejected allegations made in this respect. Allegations made against the party should be investigated and if they are false allegations stern action should be against those who levelled them.
Wickremesinghe said at this moment they should think about the party’s future and introduce new leaders. Depending on the analysis they should hand over new assignments and create a winnable leadership. As Buddhists they should realise their faults and take remedial action.Wickremesinghe said they could march forward when they understood correct Buddhist principles. Let us move forward after obtaining the blessings of the Mahasangha,’ he concluded.
Several Parliamentarians including Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Navin Dissanayake were also present on the oceasons.
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