Wajira moots national consensus to name RW as sole Presidential candidate 

• Says there will be no requirement for an election if Wickremesinghe is named as only candidate 
• Claims funds allocated for polls can then be redirected to reduce electricity tariffs 
• Urges others hoping to contest to refrain from submitting applications 

United National Party (UNP) Chairman MP Wajira Abeywardana yesterday said there may not be a requirement for a presidential election next year if a national consensus is reached to name current President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the sole candidate for the position.

The UNP Chairman added that the estimated cost of the election, which amounts to Rs. 13 billion, could then be directed towards reducing electricity tariffs, providing much-needed relief to the people of Sri Lanka.

Abeywardana suggested that individuals who plan to run for the presidential position should abstain from submitting their candidacy applications, as it is apparent that they lack the ability to lead the country’s rebuilding efforts.

“They should be compelled to refrain from imposing the additional financial burden of an election on the people and the country,” he remarked.