Navin decides not to contest GE; irked over choice of gas cylinder over elephant symbol

Navin Dissanayake has decided not to contest the general election due to differences over the decision by the UNP to contest under the gas cylinder symbol instead of the elephant symbol. 

In a post on his X ( formerly Twitter) handle, Mr. Dissanayake said he had argued at the working committee of the UNP on October 1 that true UNP supporters stand to lose out if they contest on the gas cylinder symbol as Ex-President Ranil Wickramasinghe's vote of 2.2 million largely included UNP and floating votes.

“The pohotuwa vote was a minority,” he said.

Mr. Dissanayake who served as Governor of the Sabaraganuwa province said he has contested four general elections from 2000 and emerged victorious and pledged to continue to work for the right-of-center policies of the UNP as he believes true economic and social prosperity can be achieved by these policies.

“I will not be associated with corruption or corrupt individuals and continue to work in the Gamini Dissanayake Foundation, The Sri-lanka Cricket Foundation and the Mahaweli Cultural Trust. I will also do my utmost for social and legal injustice through my work as a lawyer,” he said while wishing all candidates who are contesting good luck.