A special responsibility, of uniting everyone and building a strong opposition, has been bestowed upon Ranil Wickramasinghe with winning the election for leadership, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.
Mr. Wickramasinghe, who was re-elected as UNP leader after beating Karu Jayasuriya in yesterday’s election, should now proceed to build a strong opposition and give the government a ‘neck-to-neck’ battle, the President stated.
During a meeting with the media heads today morning at Temple Trees, the President was also questioned regarding the imprisoned former Army Chief Sarath Fonseka and the requests received seeking his release.
The President acknowledged that he had held discussions with DNA MP Tiran Allas for the last two months regarding the issue.
The President however expressed the necessity of the appropriate individuals to seek for a presidential pardon and also the need to follow relevant methods in obtaining it.
There is no issue in such requests, he added.
