SLFP names Mahinda Rajapakse Presidential candidate

[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 July 2005, 09:32 GMT]
The central committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Thursday endorsed the name of Prime Minister, Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, as its candidate of the Sri Lanka's executive presidency. Mr.Nimal Sripala de Silva, Cabinet spokesman and Minister in the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government announced this at a press briefing held in Prime Minister's official residence 'Temple Trees'.

Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse and Mr.Anura Bandaranaike, a minister in the UPFA government were not present at the press briefing when Mr.Nimal Sripala de Silva made the announcement.

Sixty-two members of the central committee supported the name of Mr.Rajapakse as presidential candidate. President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge in the capacity of President of the SLFP presided the central committee meeting, party sources.

Mr.Nimal Sripala de Silva said the Presidential election would be held in December 2006 and not in 2005 as demanded by the main opposition United National Party (UNP).