With the request of the party and the blessings of the leadership I am prepared to come forward as the Presidential candidate, Chairman of the UNP leadership council – Karu Jayasuriya has said.He was responding to a query raised by the 'Irida Divaina' newspaper on whether Jayasuriya was prepared to accept the challenge of becoming the Presidential candidate, if he was invited or pressured by multiple parties including the Maha Sangha.