Discussions are currently underway to appoint former Presidential Advisor on Agricultural Affairs, Hemakumara Nanayakkara as the UNP’s chief ministerial candidate for the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, reliable sources say.

Before resigning from the post of Presidential Advisor, Nanayakkara had met a few UNP seniors on several occasions and discussed about his political future.

Minister Dullas Alahapperuma speaking about Nanayakkara’s resignation with several journalists who write political gossip for weekend newspapers has said the resignation had taken place due to an issue over the allocation of an office room. The Minister has said a request made by Nanayakkara from the Agriculture Minister for an office at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Center had been turned down and the President had given him an office at the BMICH.

Alahapperuma has said that Nanayakkara had resigned since he had been belittled by the action.

However, Nayakkara speaking to the media after handing his resignation letter to the President has said his resignation was due to the wrong agricultural policies of the government and the undemocratic actions of the administration.

He has said that he would join a broad political forum to establish democracy in the country.

Soon after hearing Nanayakkara’s resignation, former Premier Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and other senior SLFPers had telephoned him and congratulated his decision.

It is learnt that the UNP seniors are currently discussing with a senior government member to put him as the UNP’s chief ministerial candidate for the North Central Provincial Council.