Conspiracy to bring former President to UNP leadership, Sri Lanka Deputy Minister says

Sri Lanka Deputy Minister of Ports and Transport Nirmala Kothalawela said that the leadership of the opposition United National Party (UNP) would be soon vested into former President Chandrika Kumaranatunga.

He said the former Minister Mangala Samaraweera who has crossed over to the UNP from the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is hatching a conspiracy to bring in former President as the UNP presidential candidate at the next presidential election.

Kothalawela charged that Samaraweera will put her to political waste bin through this action which is targeted for his own political gains. He pointed out that he did the same thing to former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and the People's Liberation Front (JVP) at the last presidential election.

The Deputy Minister made these remarks addressing a function held in his electorate Bulathsinhala, to mark the SLFP's 60th anniversary.