UNP to make strong push to appoint SF as Defence Minister

03 May, 2019

The United National Party (UNP) is to make a strong push to seek the appointment of former Army Commander, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka as the Defence Minister.

UNP Parliamentarian Ashu Marasinghe said that 59 Parliamentarians have already signed a petition calling for Fonseka’s appointment.

“We hope to get more MPs to sign this over the next few days,” he told reporters today.

Marasinghe said that the UNP hopes to make a formal request from the President on Monday to appoint Fonseka to the post.

He said that the Chief Prelates and other religious leaders will also be briefed on the request being made by the UNP.

“This is a national requirement,” Marasinghe said.

President Maithripala Sirisena has already refused to appoint Fonseka to the post.

The President currently holds the portfolio of Defence and Law and Order.

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