Colombo: Former Sri Lankan top general
Sarath Fonseka received a shot in the arm as the country`s
main opposition group United National Party today backed his
candidature for the upcoming Presidential polls.
UNP` s chief and former Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremesinghe announced his party`s support to Fonseka here.
It is the second major party in Sri Lanka to back the former
army chief. Earlier, the radical JVP had announced shifting of
its support from President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Fonseka.
In his bid to unseat Rajapaksa, the former top general is
also expected to get the backing of regional and minority
parties, who have formed an umbrella grouping along with the
UNP to contest the elections.
"We back General Fonseka, the hero of the defeat of Tamil
tigers, to be the common opposition Presidential candidate,"
Wickremesinghe told reporters.
He, however, made it clear that the UNP and the JVP will
campaign separately for the Presidential polls. "We will work
separately, but strike together on the election day for a
common cause."
General Fonseka chaired a meeting at his office at Vanik
Building yesterday where a number of UNP MPs were present.
According to party functionaries all issues pertaining to
the UNP`s support to the former Army Chief were ironed out and
all hurdles cleared.
The UNP wants abolition of executive presidency in Sri
Lanka and devolution of powers. Both the UNP and JVP want
representation in Fonseka`s cabinet if he is elected.
PTI
