A delegation of the Civil Society and Trade Union Collective (CSTUC) met Prime Minister ⁦Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees yesterday as Speaker Karu Jayasuriya consolidated his position as the 'National Candidate' of the UNP-led alliance.

The large majority of participants were in favour of the candidacy of Jayasuriya, a source familiar with the matter told Asian Mirror.

The delegation has requested the Prime Minister to pursue the political reforms agenda — including the total abolition of the Executive Presidency — at the next Presidential election as well.

It is learnt that the political reforms agenda will be at the centre of Speaker Jayasuriya's Presidential campaign which will be backed by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe.