Lahiru Pothmulla Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Foreign Affairs State Minister Wasantha Senanayake today said that he informed the UNP of his decision to withdraw from the party organiser post of Rambukkana and the presidential election campaign of Minister Sajith Premadasa.

Addressing a news briefing held in Colombo today, the State Minister said he sent a letter informing of the decision to UNP General Secretary Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

He said he also sent a letter to Minister Premadasa expressing displeasure over the way the presidential election campaign is being conducted and that his decision to withdraw from the campaign.

Those who defamed Minister Premadasa blamed not only him but also his parents and threatened to leave the party if he was given presidential candidacy have become the pioneers of Minister Premadasa’s campaign today. Those who fought beside Minister Premadasa to ensure his candidacy has been pushed to the side,” he said.

Also, he asked if Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would be reappointed in the post if Minister Premadasa was elected president.

If Ravi Karunanayake re-elected to parliament or named to be an MP, will he hold a cabinet minister post? Will Rishard Bathiudeen hold a cabinet post? Will Minister Rauff Hakeem, who is alleged to have maintained relations with extremists, play a major role in the election campaign? Minister Premadasa should answer these questions,” he said.

He said Minister Premadasa should also clarify whether he would reappoint old cronies, fraudsters, thieves, Central Bank bond scammers and ineffective elderly as ministers if elected president.

“I’m elated that Sajith Premadasa finally gets to contest the presidential election and hope for his victory. However, I have a doubt whether he has been caught in a trap. If Minister Premadasa give satisfactory answers to my questions, I will withdraw my resignation letters and back him completely in the election campaign,” he said.