Sajith steps down as UNP’s deputy leader, conveys wishes to Gotabaya
Sri Lanka’s ruling party presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa on Sunday accepted defeat in the presidential poll and congratulated his rival former wartime defence chief, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
“It is my privilege to honour the decision of the people and congratulate Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his election as the seventh president of Sri Lanka,” Premadasa said in a statement.
He also stepped down from the ruling United National Party (UNP) deputy leader position with immediate effect.
He appealed to the incoming President is that he would take this process forward and strengthen and protect the democratic institutions and values.
Premadasa expressed his gratitude for those who assisted him in his presidential bid and the people who stood by him through his political journey.
The complete statement of Minister Sajith Premadasa is as follows:
At the conclusion of a hard-fought and spirited election campaign, it is my privilege to honour the decision of the people and congratulate Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his election as the seventh President of Sri Lanka.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of our citizens who voted for me, in all corners of the island. I am humbled that you placed your faith in me. Your support has been a fountain of strength throughout my twenty-six-year-long political career. I also wish to place on record my gratitude to all those who worked tirelessly on my campaign. My family and I will never forget your sacrifice and dedication.
We have just witnessed the most peaceful presidential election in the history of our independent republic. This was a result of the democratic gains and institutional reforms that have taken place over the last five years that empowered an independent election commission and restored the rule of law. My appeal to the incoming President is that he take this process forward and strengthen and protect the democratic institutions and values that enabled his peaceful election as the 7th President of Sri Lanka. I also urge Mr. Rajapaksa to ensure that the post-election environment is peaceful and that no citizen or NDF party supporter is persecuted or harmed for their role in supporting my candidacy.
For 26 years, I have been an active politician in this country. During that time, I have made every effort to serve the people, in my home district of Hambantota and wherever and whenever they needed my assistance. It has been my privilege to serve as Housing Minister in this Government for five years, prioritizing the creation of a home-owning society by 2025. I hope the people understand that these were sincere, heartfelt efforts to uplift the lives of my fellow citizens.
In light of today’s decision by the electorate, I have decided to step down as Deputy Leader of the United National Party with immediate effect.
In the coming weeks, in consultation with all those who supported my presidential bid, the people who have stood by me through my political journey and my loved ones, I will reflect on the future of my political career and where my life will take me hereafter. Bound to the people of Sri Lanka, I remain their faithful servant, today and always.
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You seem to have much better backbone and quality than your party leader.
Cannot understand why he should resign the Deputy Leadership at a time when the UNP needs his political skills and expertise to build an effective opposition and further reform the party to contest the parliamentary elections.
Whenever the UNP is at low ebb, it is RW who has carried the burden of rebuilding eventually to be blamed.
The UNP is an essential part of our Democratic system and should be driven to flourish in the ever-volatile political environment.
Thank you Sajith.
In 2015, Mahinda defeated and within 6hrs left the office along with his government too.
But Ranil? Seems still hanging on….
Maraya,
Hon PM Ranil was not defeated in the presidential Poll; he was denied the opportunity to contest by Modad*asa and his friends.
He continues to be the PM.
It was Sajith Modad*sa who was defeated in the Presidential Poll.
In Parliament, Hon RW continues to be the leader of the Party which commands majority.
The people may have voted but the Supreme Court will decide on the citizenship issue, shortly.
Yes my dear Maraya you are right. With 21 defeats in consecutive all sorts of elections. RW never step down. Even in 2015 January he was nominated by our great ‘Hitan’ HE. Sirisena. Till his last breath RW will be in the parliament to keep Westminster spirit! Deputy Leader of UNP just a ceremonial post and Sajith can sit in the Parliament and relax. May be Sajith can work for his voter base in N & E.
Ranil should be in Parliament.
He is the only democratic leader who can save Sri Lanka from international jurisdiction, international war crimes trials and UN supervised plebiscite in the N & E following abrogation of existing resolutions in the UNHRC.
Ranil can’t do nothing. He will only agree to what UNHRC says. This proves cosponsoring of US allegations joining hands with the accuser (resolution 30/1 Geneva 2015). SL can save itself with this so called Int Jurisdictions someway Israel, Myanmar, Philippines do. Is UNHCR gonna invade SL? We have dignity and Sri Lanka is still a sovereign state. In fact there should be investigations regarding Ranil’s involvement in robbing the state bank through his buddy Arjuna Mahendran and Batalanda killing of Sinhala Youth! In fact Ranil should call it a day!
Kota Katu .Ranil should be in Parliament.? you are better off with a buffalo in the Parliament than this senile wanker.