Independent MPs including Wimal, Gammanpila to back Dullas

The Union of Independent Parties led by MPs Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila and Vasudeva Nanayakkara has decided to back SLPP MP Dullas Alahapperuma in the election in parliament to elect a new President tomorrow (July 20).

MP Weerawansa announced this in a media briefing held in Colombo this afternoon.

“This is the establishment of a regime in which all the insecure feelings and moods of millions of people in this country will disappear,” the National Freedom Front (NFF) leader said.

Weerawansa said they are establishing a governance that listens to and makes way for the aspirations of the young protesters in Galle Face and that they will take their opinions into consideration and move forward.

“It is not a country that progresses through conflicts. This will create a country that moves forward with friendship and unity,” he said.

The MP further said that tomorrow is a day when all public representatives who think intelligently can eliminate the gloomy attitude towards the 225 members in Parliament.

“Tomorrow is the day of all-party national consensus,” he said, while urging parliamentarians to contribute to the creation of a universal governance of various colors.

Therefore, he said the group of 16 MPs who are in the ‘Union of Independent Parties’ will use their votes tomorrow for the victory of the presidential candidate Dullas Alahapperuma. “We know for sure that victory is certain.”

“This is the only way to create political stability,” Weerawansa said.

A parliamentary vote is scheduled at 10.00 a.m. tomorrow to elect a Member of Parliament, who is qualified to be elected as the Head of State, to hold office for the unexpired period of the term of office of the President vacating office.

The names of Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, MP Alahapperuma and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake were officially nominated for the presidency at today’s parliamentary session.

MP Alahapperuma’s name was proposed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and it was seconded by Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris.

Before the nominations were called this morning, the Opposition Leader withdrew his candidacy, announcing support for MP Alahapperuma in the vote.

Meanwhile, the names of Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe and National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake were also nominated for the post of President.