SLPP made the right decision with their candidate : Sarath Fonseka

Colombo (News1st) - MP of UNP, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka was questioned about the statement made with regard to the Presidential Candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna at an event held today (August 14). He reasoned that the SLPP has considered national security when selecting their presidential candidate and agreed that it was the right decision. In response to another question regarding the future plan of the UNP, he mentioned that it is not clear even to the members of the party about what is happening as "they scold Gotabaya in the afternoons but visit Gotabaya during the night". He reasoned that those who support the party will be lost if they continue to encourage such situations. UNP party representatives of the Kelaniya electorate organized a media briefing today and provided a response to the comments made by Sarath Fonseka. Former member Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Manoj Perera stated that Sarath Fonseka has forgotten that in 2015 UNP sheltered him when he had no party. He further highlighted that as a person who sought shelter from UNP, Sarath Fonseka does not have a right to make "right" decisions on behalf of UNP. He highlighted that if they intend to be part of UNP, the decisions taken by their party should be adhered to as well. He emphasized that people of the country request a different candidate from UNP even though Sarath Fonseka "dreams" of being that candidate this year as well. He noted that UNP will unite their efforts to ensure that the requested candidate wins. Manoj Perera also revealed information regarding a telephone conversation which was held between Sarath Fonseka and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, recently. He responsibly stated that Sarath Fonseka received a telephone call from Gotabaya Rajapaksa two weeks ago that was organized at a famous place in Kelaniya. He revealed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa asked Fonseka to forget the past and join him, during this call. He highlighted that if Fonseka is a true gentleman, being someone who criticized the Rajapaksa's in the past, he should have rejected the offer instead of saying "let's see". Manoj Perera reasoned that Fonseka has given the country a hint of where he is headed through the media briefing yesterday." If he denies this, I will prove him wrong", he added. In retrospect, the members engaged in the political arena seemed to have different opinions regarding the idea of Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the presidential candidate. Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka who praised the SLPP for prioritizing national security over political experience by presenting Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as the presidential candidate held a different opinion regarding him running for the presidency back then. Sarath Fonseka once alluded to Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as a person who had run away from the war and his country for 15 years. He further added that if someone would invite such a person to lead the country, "they should be treated with the tail of a stingray". Treasurer of SLFP S.B. Dissanayake stated that they should be happy and proud as the public of the Podujana Peramuna. He further reasoned that it is their right to name a candidate from the leftist front. "We state clearly, that we will commit for the victory of the patriotic anti-UNP and anti-colonial candidate", he further added affirming the decision of the SLPP with regard to the presidential candidate. However, S. B Dissanayake held a completely different opinion on Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in the past. S.B Dissanayake who used to be an MP of UPFA once stated that Gotabhaya made the UPFA lose the minority groups. He stated that they condemn Gotabhaya's extreme racial ideologies back then and would continue to do so. He further made a statement that the Bodu Bala Sena was created, maintained and protected by Gotabhaya.