A successful discussion had taken place on Wednesday (21) between United National Party (UNP) Leader, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and several party seniors on the issue of the party's presidential candidate.
UNP Chairman, Minister Kabir Hashim, former Chairman, Minister Malik Samarawickrema and Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara had attended the discussion with the party leadership.
It is learnt that Wickremesinghe has responded positively to the points raised by the UNP seniors.
It is also learnt that the Prime Minister has said that he was well aware of the public perception on the presidential candidate and that he would act accordingly in the next few days. He has also asked the UNP seniors to make similar representations to Minister Vajira Abeywardena and a few others.
Minister Abeywardena has been accused on many occasions during the former Mahinda Rajapaksa regime of maintaining close links with the Rajapaksas and even engaging in business activities with them. Even after the yahapalana government assumed office in 2015, Abeywardena is accused of continuing to work according to the agenda of the Rajapaksas and their loyalists.
