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Sri Lankan president undecided on party nomination for polls

Xinhua, July 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena did not finalize his party's nomination list even after members including former President Mahinda Rajapakse signed the nomination papers on Thursday, an official said.

Sirisena, who is the leader of the main opposition United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), was still reviewing the nominations for the candidates including that of Rajapakse, UPFA member and Cabinet Spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said.

Senaratne told a press briefing that the president would finalize his list and make decisions based on the best interest of his party.

"He does not want to be the one who divides the UPFA. He wants the party to work as one and will make the best decision which will benefit the party and the nation," Senaratne said.

However the cabinet spokesperson said if former leader Rajapakse returns to power, it will cause a "problem" among millions of voters who elected President Sirisena over Rajapakse at the Jan. 8 presidential election.

"The president has not betrayed his voters but there will be a massive problem and protest amongst them if Rajapakse enters the political arena again," he said.

Rajapaksa signed the nomination papers on Thursday to stand in the Aug. 17 parliamentary elections under the UPFA.

The former president is expected to contest from the Kurunegala District in northwestern Sri Lanka. Endi