The Gampaha district members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), including Members of Parliament, Provincial Councils, and Local Government representatives, have pledged their support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe for the upcoming presidential election. This commitment was announced during the SLPP's District Power Board meeting, held at the office of the Government Party Chief Organizer, Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Prasanna Ranatunga, in Udugampola.
Parliamentary and Local Government Support
In the last general election, 13 MPs were elected to Parliament from the Gampaha District under the SLPP banner. Among these, nine have explicitly declared their dedication to securing victory for President Wickremesinghe.
Key figures in this support include Nalaka Godahewa, who recently transitioned to the United People's Party, and State Ministers Prasanna Ranaweera and Indika Anuruddha, who have affirmed their allegiance to the SLPP’s decision. The positions of certain representatives, such as Ms. Sudarshani Fernandopulle, remain uncertain, though reports suggest she may also back the President.
Minister Naleen Fernando and MP Nimal Lanza, who have left the SLPP, along with State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, have similarly voiced their support for President Wickremesinghe.
District Council Meeting Highlights
The district council meeting witnessed the attendance of notable figures, including Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Milan Jayathilaka, and several former provincial council members and local government officials. Among the Gampaha district’s 19 local government bodies, numerous former chairpersons and council members have endorsed the President's leadership.
Minister Ranatunga highlighted his unwavering commitment to the SLPP despite challenges, emphasizing his belief in unity and loyalty. He noted the importance of supporting national interests over personal agendas, lauding President Wickremesinghe's efforts to rebuild the country.
Statements from Key Leaders
Minister Ranatunga stated:
"Today we are fighting based on what the district leader says. I fought
with Felix Perera to nominate Prasanna Ranaweera. It was very difficult, but we
won by taking the challenge head-on. I love the country. When Mahinda lost,
many abandoned him, but I stayed. I organized meetings and stood by him. These
local government councilors made me a leader."
He also mentioned proposals to make him Prime Minister, which he declined. "We need to know how to grow stronger. Today, some party members talk about policies. If it doesn't suit them, they remain ministers for two years."
MP Milan Jayathilaka echoed these sentiments, stressing the need to make strategic decisions to secure the nation’s future. He reaffirmed the district’s commitment to supporting Wickremesinghe, underscoring the hardships endured by the Gampaha district and the necessity of collective action to ensure stability and progress.
Conclusion
The Gampaha district’s overwhelming support for President Wickremesinghe underscores the SLPP's focus on unity and progress. The leadership’s emphasis on addressing national challenges and rebuilding the country highlights their collective commitment to a stable political and economic future.
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