Mahinda has not been declared as the PM candidate - PMU

There are no arrangements in place to name a Prime Ministerial candidate from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) thus far, the President’s Media Unit said on Tuesday.  

The NIE quoted President Maithripala Sirisena of saying through a press release that he had not found any of the applicants for an SLFP ticket suitable to be declared the Prime Ministerial candidate. Specifically mentioning the former President, the SLFP Chairman said that Mahinda Rajapaksa has not been declared or accepted as the Prime Ministerial candidate thus far.

Explaining the mode of selection of the Prime Minister, Sirisena said that following the elections, the choice will be made after consulting the MPs elected on the SLFP ticket and the ticket of the larger alliance, the United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

Sirisena’s statement, however, does not bar Rajapaksa from applying for a ticket to contest from the SLFP or from one of the parties of the  UPFA. He could be considered for the Prime Ministership after the elections if has the support of the SLFP/UPFA parliamentary party.

By not barring Rajapaksa from contesting, Sirisena has not divided the SLFP or the UPFA and this is hailed by the pro-Rajapaksa and pro-unity group, as former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said in Kandy on Tuesday. Sirisena’s decision was conveyed to Rajapaksa who was camping in Kandy.

It now remains to be seen as to what Rajapaksa will say in his press conference at Medamulana, his village in South Sri Lanka on Wednesday. There is speculation about his opting out of the contest. If he does, there will be commotion in the SLFP and the UPFA and the pro-Rajapaksa elements will quit and form a group to prop up Rajapaksa.