Minister Sajith Premadasa, who contested at the forefront in the Presidential Election 2019 from New Democratic Front (NDF), has announced his decision to step down as Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP) with immediate effect.
Minister Harin Fernando, taking to his official Facebook account today (17), published a special statement from Minister Premadasa.
Accordingly, DNF contender has conveyed his wishes to the seventh President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who contested in the Presidential race and currently leading the election results.
“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,” Premadasa said in his special statement.
Premadasa says the country has witnessed the most peaceful Presidential Election in the history of its 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 elections commission and restored the rule of law, Premadasa said further.
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.
