Ranil retains UNP leadership | Sunday Observer

Ranil retains UNP leadership

19 January, 2020

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to remain as Party Leader until the completion of his term in 2025. Wickremesinghe has said that the discussion regarding the change in the UNP leadership would be resumed in 2024.

However, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa responding to the Party Leader’s comment has requested an opinion poll regarding the issue among the UNP Parliamentary group. He has, however, suggested that Party Leader Wickremesinghe, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and himself should reach a consensus whether an official vote should be held to change the leadership.

Meanwhile, UNP Parliamentarian Dr.Harsha de Silva had told the media that Wickremesinghe at the UNP Parliamentary Group meeting held on January 16 rejected the request stating that there is no need for change in the Party leadership. Afterwards, Parliamentarian Harshana Rajakaruna had suggested an opinion poll to decide whether the majority of the party feel that Opposition Leader Premadasa’s request for an opinion poll should be considered.

Dr. de Silva had said that after much argument, Party Leader Wickremesinghe had proposed a private discussion among Premadasa and Jayasuriya and himself and conduct another party meeting following their discussion which had been rejected by the majority of the UNP Parliamentary Group. Therefore, the UNP Parliamentary Group meeting at its Party Headquarters, Sirikotha had ended abruptly without reaching a final consensus.

The UNP Parliamentarians who are lobbying for a change in the leadership told the media that they were hopeful that Party Leader Wickremesinghe would take a positive step regarding this during the coming days. UNP Parliamentarians Harsha de Silva, Harin Fernando, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ajith P. Perera and J.C. Alawathuwala said they were hopeful that Wickremesinghe will resign from the leadership with dignity and allow Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to take over. Meanwhile, leaders of political parties aligned with the UNP have decided to form a new political alliance under the leadership of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to contest the next General Election.UNP Parliamentarians in Sajith Premadasa’s camp had told the media that the decision to contest the General Election under a new alliance was taken at a meeting at the Parliamentary complex with the participation of several constituent parties of the UNP, including the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) led by Mano Ganesan and UNP Parliamentarian Rajitha Senaratne and some other UNP frontliners who are clamoring for a leadership change. The name of the new alliance and the officer bearers would be decided later.

The UNP MPs supporting Sajith Premadasa had said that they would remain as UNP members and go along with the new alliance.

Opposition Leader Premadasa speaking to journalists after meeting the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiri and the Malwathu Chapters in Kandy on January 16 said that UNP will not be divided if issues are handled in a democratic manner. He said everything should be done within a democratic framework. Premadasa said the UNP will able to capture power if it adopts a new strategy in keeping with new trends.

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