92 MPs meet President to pledge support at upcoming presidential poll

Ninety-two Members of Parliament met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, pledging their support for him in the upcoming presidential election to ensure his victory, the President's Media Division (PMD) said this evening. 

The meeting comes after a group of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs defied their party's decision to field its own candidate at the presidential election. The MPs said they will support President Wickremesinghe at the election. 

In the hours following the SLPP's politburo meeting where it was decided that the party would field its own candidates, several SLPP MPs who are ministers in the government said they will support President Wickremesinghe irrespective of the party's decision. 

Taking to 'X,' Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara stated that he would be supporting the President, adding that the majority of the SLPP Parliament group will also extend their support to the President to" continue the reforms & policy’s towards greater economic stability and the betterment of the country."

State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon also said on X that he will support President Wickremesinghe "Immaterial of the decision made by political bureau of SLPP."

Earlier, President Wickremesinghe had gone on social media to thank MPs who have supported him.

"I want to thank the MPs who’ve been with me on this journey. To those who stood by me from the start, your support made the first steps we took to recovery possible. You believed in me and my plan when the country was in crisis, with people struggling for fuel, medicine, and essentials. Your commitment kept us going when the challenges seemed insurmountable," said Mr Wickremesinghe. 

He also thanked the MPs who joined midway, saying that they saw the progress and chose to be part of the change.

"To those now joining us, welcome. Your support shows the positive direction we’re heading. You understand the importance of putting aside party politics to unite as one. Together, we can achieve even more," he further said.

The President also extended a hand to those who are yet to join him. "To the MPs yet to join us, we’re ready to welcome you. Our mission to build a prosperous, united Sri Lanka is ongoing, and we need every willing hand to make it a reality. This journey hasn’t been easy, but by coming together, we’ve started to turn the tide. Together, we will create the Sri Lanka we all believe in," he noted.