UNP still keeps secretly names of its Chief Ministerial candidates for the two Provincial Councils

Jul 3, 2008 Source: Asian Tribune

The UPFA and the JVP are announced names of their Chief Ministerial Candidates but the United National Party is still not announced its Chief Ministerial Candidates and a party spokesman Gayantha Karunathilaka said names of their Chief Ministerial candidates are still kept secret due to the government pressure on their candidates. However UNP General Secretary General Secretary, Tissa Attanayake m revealed that a team leader too has been appointed to each district: Gen. Janaka Perera, Anuradhapura; H.M. Donald, Polonnaruwa; A.A. Wijetunga, Ratnapura and Jayatilleke Podinilame, Kegalle. But he too has failed to disclose UNP’s chief minister candidates for the two provincial councils. The UNP, SLMC and Western Province People’s Front have formed a common front to fight the elections under the Elephant symbol, Attanayake said. Howeverl major political parties and independent groups are now engaged in final discussions on nominations for the Sabaragamuwa and North Central provincial council elections. UPFA Chief Minister candidate for the North-central province is former Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, while the Chief Minister candidate for Sabaragamuwa is former Chief Minister Mahipala Herath. Several political groups including the democratic group of the UNP are contesting under the UPFA. General Secretary of the JVP Tylvin Silva said the party’s nomination list has been compiled. Former JVP parliamentarian Wasantha Samarasinghe is the JVP Chief Minister candidate for the North-central province and the JVP Chief Minister candidate for Sabaragamuwa is Chameera Koswatta. Nominations close at noon on Friday while independent groups can place their deposits till noon on Thursday. The elections Commissioner will declare the date of the election after nominations close. The returning officers of the north central and Sabaragamuwa provinces said acceptances of nominations and placing of deposits for the elections of the two provinces now take place. Six independent groups have already filed deposits and four political parties have handed over nominations. Returning officer of Anuradhapura said more than 560 thousand voters will vote at 527 centers in the Anuradhapura district. In the Polonanruwa district 270 thousand voters will cast their votes at 232 centers. The United Socialist party and the Leftist Front are among the political parties handed over nominations. In the Rathnapura district one independent group has handed over nomination. 713 thousand voters are eligible to cast votes at 541 centers in the Rathnapura district. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and an independent group have handed over nominations for the Kegalle district. The government said the UPFA would definitely win the north central and Sabaragamuwa provincial council polls. The public has already expressed a positive response towards the Alliance?s election campaign. The government said the propaganda campaign of the UPFA would be carried out giving priority to the unity and sovereignty of the motherland. Number of political parties including MEP, TMVP, and Muslim League will contest under the UPFA ticket. Independence Professionals Association will also grant its support for the UPFA victory. Source of the article