Stalemate
By Upatissa Perera-October 28, 2014
The much awaited talks between Ven. Sobhitha Thera and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to decide on a common candidate, for the anticipated Presidential Election in January, ended in a stalemate last Saturday (25), informed sources said.The Convener of the National Movement for Social Justice, Ven. Sobhitha Thera and Wickremesinghe met at the Naga Viharaya, in Kotte.
Sources said that Wickremesinghe has pointed out to the Thera that he would contest the Presidential Poll and after assuming office as the Executive President he would give priority to scrapping the Executive Presidential System. "He had urged Ven. Sobhitha to extend his cooperation to him."
Ven. Sobhitha has told Wickremesinghe that he (SobhithaThera ) had held talks with several Opposition political parties, civil organizations, university academics and intellectuals. He had further explained to Wickremesinghe, that if Wickremesinghe wants to contest as the common candidate he should be identified as an independent candidate outside the UNP and the elephant symbol.
Wickremesinghe has told Ven. Sobhitha Thera that he would discuss the proposal with the party and convey the decision to the Thera.
UNP sources said that party MPs have stated that Wickremesinghe should not contest the election outside the party and the party symbol as the UNP was a single party, which had a large vote base in the country. They have further stressed that as the leader of that party, Wickremesinghe should not surrender to the demands of any other section in the country.
By Upatissa Perera-October 28, 2014
The much awaited talks between Ven. Sobhitha Thera and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to decide on a common candidate, for the anticipated Presidential Election in January, ended in a stalemate last Saturday (25), informed sources said.The Convener of the National Movement for Social Justice, Ven. Sobhitha Thera and Wickremesinghe met at the Naga Viharaya, in Kotte.
Sources said that Wickremesinghe has pointed out to the Thera that he would contest the Presidential Poll and after assuming office as the Executive President he would give priority to scrapping the Executive Presidential System. "He had urged Ven. Sobhitha to extend his cooperation to him."
Ven. Sobhitha has told Wickremesinghe that he (SobhithaThera ) had held talks with several Opposition political parties, civil organizations, university academics and intellectuals. He had further explained to Wickremesinghe, that if Wickremesinghe wants to contest as the common candidate he should be identified as an independent candidate outside the UNP and the elephant symbol.
Wickremesinghe has told Ven. Sobhitha Thera that he would discuss the proposal with the party and convey the decision to the Thera.
UNP sources said that party MPs have stated that Wickremesinghe should not contest the election outside the party and the party symbol as the UNP was a single party, which had a large vote base in the country. They have further stressed that as the leader of that party, Wickremesinghe should not surrender to the demands of any other section in the country.
