WILL SEE THAT MAHINDA GETS NOMINATIONS FROM THE ALLIANCE - ANNOUNCEMENT FROM SUSIL

WILL SEE THAT MAHINDA GETS NOMINATIONS FROM THE ALLIANCE

- ANNOUNCEMENT FROM SUSIL MAHINDA ACCEPTS

5.25 p.m.

Former Minister Dinesh Goonawardena had said at a media briefing held this evening at

Abhayarama speaking on behalf of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the latter had accepted the nominations bestowed on him by the United People's Freedom Alliance.

3.45 p.m.

An announcement was released a short while ago with the signature of General Secretary Mr. Susil Premajayanth that it has been decided to give nominations at the forthcoming General Election to former President Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa from the United People's Freedom Alliance. It was mentioned therein that this decision was taken at United People's Freedom Alliance meeting of the Party leaders held yesterday (2) under the patronage of the President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena. It has been stated that this decision had been arrived at. When giving nominations the condition as to whether the Mahinda faction was permitted to contest or not is not mentioned there.

The response of Mahinda Rajapaksa or that of his group is still not reported. It is also still not mentioned whether they accepted it or not. Ideas about it would be made known at the media confrontation that would be held by the former President's faction after 4 this evening.

That announcement, from BELOW