Rishad Bathiudeen joins Maithri

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen and his political party, the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), have decided to support common opposition Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

The decision was taken following a crucial discussion held this morning between ACMC members in Colombo. Bathiudeen later arrived at the opposition leader’s office where he held a press conference.

Opposition United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the opposition campaign is gaining ground with more Government members extending support to Maithripala Sirisena.

He said that Bathiudeen had sacrificed his post in the Government in the best interest of the country and to establish democracy.

All Ceylon Makkal Congress member Ameer Ali, who had recently accepted the Parliament seat offered to him by the Government, has also decided to back Sirisena.

The All Ceylon Makkal Congress had said that it had decided to accept the Parliament seat as it felt it was the right of the party.

Earlier United People’s Freedom Alliance Parliamentarian A H M Azwer had resigned from Parliament to pave way for Ali to be given the seat.(Colombo Gazette)