Why Ranil W cannot be my president

I fully agree with Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka when she quotes the Constitution ‘The Constitution guarantees the executive power of the people, including the defence of Sri Lanka, shall be exercised by the President of the Republic, elected by the people’. This is confirmed in the Constitution under Chapter V11 – The Executive – The President of the Republic 30 [2] The President shall be elected by the People, and shall hold office for a term of six years’. What puzzles me in my innocent ignorance, is was Ranil qualified to enter Parliament as a National list nominee of a party which had been rejected in toto. Can the UNP be considered a recognised political party as it did not secure a single seat at the last general elections. How can the authorities consider the UNP as a recognized political party when the people do not consider it so?

Retired Public Servant

Colombo