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UNF party leaders will convene at 6 p.m. today for talks that would focus on the presidential candidate, the United National Party (UNP) said.

Meanwhile, the UNP says the party’s presidential candidate will be picked next week.

UNP leader, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy Leader, Minister Sajith Premadasa and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya are the frontrunners vying to become the UNP’s presidential candidate.

The Minister made these comments at a press briefing held in Colombo on Monday (16). During the briefing, the Minister stressed that a new President must be appointed before December 8 and pointed out that while all other parties have named their candidate, the democratic camp which forms the government has yet failed to name its candidate.

The Minister explained his party’s opinion on the matter based on three points. Firstly, an alliance must be created according to democratic traditions if the candidate of the camp is to win. Secondly, while they must come up with an arrangement to be archived within a specific time frame, and thirdly that a candidate must be chosen with everyone's consensus.

Speaking further in this regard, he said that on the 24th of August, all matters relating to the alliance's constitution were discussed and a compromise was reached. The Minister also said that the United National Front had informed the UNP at the time to immediately nominate the candidate, but however, no decision has been taken regarding the candidate yet.

The Minister noted that while the names of Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa have both been presented before the country, it is difficult to go forward without arriving at a consensus. According to the Minister, since the parties will enter the election as a coalition and the UNP has yet to reach a decision, his party, the JHU suggests that all 106 MPs of the UNF should be called in for a vote to choose a candidate.

The Minister pointed out that this is more democratic and would introduce a new political tradition to the country. He also added that when a candidate is chosen, the other hopefuls who were not chosen should not sabotage the campaign and instead work towards winning it. “This is the tradition of the world which respects democracy,” he added.

Deshapriya said nominations for the elections would be called for on October 7 and there will be a two week-period for nominations.

He added that cash deposits for the elections will commence from today (19) till noon on October 6 and deposits will be accepted between 9 a.m and 11 a.m.

The Attorney General’s Coordinating Officer stated that the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore has handed over the request to the Singapore government.

President Maithripala Sirisena recently signed 21,000 odd documents to be sent to the Singapore government seeking Mahendran’s extradition to face litigation in Sri Lanka.

Activists, Ven. Dambara Amila Thero and Chandraguptha Thenuwara have challenged the President’s decision before the Supreme Court by filing a Fundamental Right (FR) petition yesterday (17).

The petitioners have stated that the President is legally entitled to hold only the portfolios of Mahaweli, Environment and Defence under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

The petitioners have noted that the President has violated the Constitution by taking SLRC under the Ministry of Defence and that such action has also violated the fundamental rights of the petitioners.

They have sought the Supreme Court to declare the taking over of SLRC under the Ministry of Defence as a violation of the country’s Constitution.

President Sirisena last week issued a gazette notification announcing that the SLRC will be taken under the purview of the MOD with immediate effect.

He later stated that the move was aimed at resolving the management issues that were driving the institution in to bankruptcy.

However, media associations condemned the move claiming it was a threat to media freedom and that it would create a bad precedent when a media institution is taken under the Ministry of Defence.

Chairman of the Elections Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya says the dates related to the next presidential elections will be announced within the next 14 days.

There was speculation that the Commission might announce the presidential elections during this weekend. However, Deshapriya says the Commission had not yet reached a decision on the matter.

According to Director General of the Elections Commission, Saman Ratnayake, presidential elections will be held between 15 November and 7 December this year under the prevailing law of the country unless and otherwise the law is amended by the responsible authorities.

The meeting had taken place at the Office of the Elections Commission yesterday at 2 p.m.

The meeting was chaired by Chairman of the Elections Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya.

UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera told the media after the meeting that the Elections Commission had requested political parties to adhere to an environment friendly, violence free, and fair campaigning policy.

The Commission had also taken up suggestions from the political parties with regard to the forthcoming elections from respective political parties.

Apart from the presidential election, the party secretaries were also briefed on the legal nature of the postponed provincial elections.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCOI) probing fraud, corruption and irregularities that have taken place in government since 2015.

Wickrtemesinghe appeared before the Commission at the BMICH in Colombo yesterday (16).

The Premier was summoned to record evidence over allegations of irregularities committed over a building obtained on rent for the Agricultural Ministry.

“I provided evidence at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCOI) investigating fraud and corruption this morning. This is the second independent commission that I have appeared before in my official capacity as Prime Minister. We will continue to ensure accountability,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

The Presidential Commissioner initially summoned the Prime Minister to appear before it last Thursday (12), but he informed the Commission that he was unable to appear on that date and yesterday (16) was the next date given to Wickremesinghe.

Jayasuriya says that he would consider contesting the forthcoming presidential election only with the political forces which had since 1995 consistently stood for the abolishing of the executive presidency.

Issuing a statement, the Speaker said he would do so together with those who stood for democratic reforms introduced by the 17th Amendment and further strengthened by the 19the Amendment to the Constitution.

Jayasuriya says he was requested by the clergy, civil societies and youth movements to consider contesting the forthcoming presidential elections.

He noted that these parties highlighted the need for a noble leader who will protect democracy and address the country’s political issues.

He observes that strengthening the 19th Amendment to the Constitution must also be a part of the mandate.

He further notes that in such background he said will contest as the candidate of the United National Front (UNF) with the blessings of the party members.

Jayasuriya’s statement follows UNP’s announcement that it will abolish the executive presidency immediately after the 2020 presidential elections.

The United National Party (UNP) is currently in a deadlock unable to reach consensus over the appointment of a suitable presidential candidate.

UNP Leader, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Deputy Leader, MInister Sajith Premadasa have declared their intentions to contest at the presidential election.

“We all stood together during the critical times of our history and the support given by our Other Ranks in all three forces could not be belittled and it was the unity that freed this country from grips of terrorism. Let me profusely thank the Navy for its unstinting support accorded presently as well as in the past,” the visiting Army Chief quipped.

Lieutenant General Silva also made a special mention of the very effective Naval operations being conducted by sailors round the country in their quest to detect narcotics and other harmful elements, trying to enter the country. He also pledged the Army's support for such operations in the future and invited the Navy to join hands with the Army for such projects too.

The visiting Army Chief also praised the Navy’s contribution to all types of natural disasters and national catastrophes and invited a representative team of senior Naval Officers to attend the forthcoming Army drill competition awarding ceremony as special guests showing their spirits of brotherhood and strong connectivity.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at the parliamentary complex.

The discussion between the Prime Minister and TNA are to focus on the UNP's presidential candidate.

Wickremesinghe's meeting with the TNA will take place in the backdrop of discussions held between the UNP Deputy Leader, Minister Sajith Premadasa and the TNA on getting the latter's support for Premadasa's candidacy.

Admitting that the SLFP has conducted a number of discussions with the SLPP on the matter, he said they have not had discussions with the UNP. He also stressed however he will also not hold any discussions with thieves who robbed the Central Bank.

The President made these comments at the SLFP district convention held yesterday evening (15).

“Both parties are seeking our support”

The President also revealed that the SLFP has received invitations from both parties but has not held a discussion with the UNP. According to him, the SLFP held discussions with the SLPP as the SLFP places the motherland in the number one spot while the party’s identity is the next important factor for them.

He also said he will not allow anyone to underestimate the SLFP and is prepared to show the party’s power to both the UNP and the SLPP.

The President also assured the party is prepared to undertake a programme that will ensure that SLFP party members are not treated unfairly.