UNP to start election campaigns from July 1 : Min. Kariyawasam

The United National Party (UNP) will begin its election campaigns from July 1 onwards, party General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today (Jun 21).

"A special committee comprising Parliamentarians Rajitha Senaratne, Ruwan Wijewardena, myself (Akila) and Mujibur Rahman were appointed in order to carry out these campaigns," he told reporters at a press briefing.

"Through these campaigns we look to face any upcoming election," he said.

The UNP Parliamentarian noted that Ministers too would engage in these election campaigns. He defended this move by stating that the future programmes of their ministries have already been planned out.

Following the no-confidence motion against the government over the Easter Sunday attacks, rallies will also be organised, Mr Kariyawasam said adding that the first rally will take place in Colombo.

Meanwhile, several new electoral organisers for the UNP and the United National Front (the coalition of parties forming the government) will also be appointed next week, the Minister noted.

They would meet party leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, he said.

Commenting on the lines of the upcoming presidential polls, the UNP General Secretary declared that the UNF will nominate a candidate who would be from the UNP. 

"We will announce our candidate once the presidential polls is officially announced. The UNP's Working Committee will take the final decision on who the candidate would be," Mr. Kariyawasam remarked.