UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, while scoffing at what he termed as “ridiculous” media reports, said he did never intended to be the Prime Minister under Maithripala Sirisena’s rule, and UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was the most suitable person in the country to take up the post after the Common Candidate's ascension to power. 

He was referring to a story that was carried in a Sinhala daily newspaper today, claiming there was a conspiracy in the party to appoint Karu Jayasuriya as the Prime Minister of Maithripala Sirisena’s government, bypassing the National Leader of the UNP.

Jayasuriya, speaking to Asian Mirror this morning, dubbed it as a “baseless and frivolous” media report. “I never wanted to be the Prime Minister and nothing like that was discussed at any meeting,” Jayasuriya said.

“We know most of the so called news reports these days are fabricated at Temple Trees and we are not surprised about it,” the UNP Leadership Council Chairman said while adding that the common opposition will ensure media freedom under Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena’s 100 day programme.

“Then the media will not have to stoop to this level,” Jayasuriya said.

Meanwhile, commenting on multiple media reports on crossovers, the senior UNP politician revealed that more ruling party MPs will join the common opposition in the coming days. “It will happen at an auspicious time,” the Leadership Council Chairman also added.

Jayasuriya firther stated that over 30000 people participated in the rally which was held in Kandy yesterday to support the Common Candidate of the opposition and it was one of the most successful elections rallies in the recent past.