By Shamindra Ferdinando - The Island
Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and UPFA MP Ruwan Ranatunga yesterday reiterated their commitment to ensure President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s victory at the forthcoming presidential election, though their brother, Arjuna, too, was being mentioned as a possible Opposition candidate.
The assurance was given at an SLFP rally held at CM Ranatunga’s residence at Udugampola.
The duo said that they wouldn’t betray their late father, Reggie and the SLFP by working against incumbent President Rajapaksa seeking re-election for a third time.
Addressing a rally at Muttiah grounds near Gangaramaya last Wednesday, World Cup winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga urged the country to rally around the Opposition to pave the way for the abolition of the executive presidency by defeating President Rajapaksa.
Ranatunga called for a united effort against the President without being distracted by various issues.
Arjuna was elected to parliament at the last parliamentary poll in April 2010 on the DNA (Democratic National Alliance) ticket. The JVP as well as Tiran Alles also contested on the DNA ticket. The DNA was formed under the leadership of Gen. Sarath Fonseka immediately after the January 2010 presidential election.
CM Ranatunga emphasized that they couldn’t engage in any political project at the expense of the SLFP or President Rajapaksa, who had done so much for the country. The CM said that regardless of Arjuna’s stance on executive presidency, he wouldn’t support efforts to reverse victories achieved under President Rajapaksa’s leadership.
MP Ruwan Ranatunga said that though he had differed with the government on some issues, but would never switch his allegiance to the Opposition. The MP said that Arjuna’s move had greatly troubled him over the past few days. In fact, the vexed issue had troubled all in the Ranatunga family, though he decided to make his position known to the public.
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