The New Democratic Front is (NDF) was formed on Friday with several parties, including a component of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) backed by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, to support presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa.
Several parties, including the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Democratic National Front (DNF), Upcountry National Front (UNF), Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya (SLMP), and Democratic National Movement (DNM), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the NDF.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sajith pledged to uphold the law and protect the sovereignty of Sri Lanka and will ensure that Buddhism is given foremost place and provide an environment where all religions and ethnicities will be treated equally.
“Our opponents have formed an anti-democratic front. However, our presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa will lead our pro-democratic front forward,” Prime Minister and United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said at the ceremony.
Civil society organisations also signed the MoU endorsing Sajith as the presidential candidate.