Karu gets blessings from clergy for UNP leadership bid

Former Speaker and United National Party (UNP) leadership contender Karu Jayasuriya received blessings from senior clergy of the Asgiriya Chapter for his bid to become the next leader of the party earlier this week.

Chief Incumbent of the Sudhuhumpala Rajamahaviharaya and senior member of the Asgiriya chapter Mukuruppe Rathnapala Ranthajothi Thero endorsed Jayasuriya for the leadership of the UNP, pointing out that the former Speaker had shown leadership and courage during the Constitutional Crisis in the recent past.  “We do not want to see this great party disappear. What needs to happen today is for a new leadership to emerge and take the UNP forward. I believe that only Karu Jayasuriya can do it,” Ranthajothi Thero stated. 

Jayasuriya met Ranthajothi Thero while visiting the clergy at the Asgiriya and Ramangya chapters on Monday. 

Jayasuriya officially expressed his intentions to obtain the leadership of the UNP recently but his request is yet to be taken up by the UNP Working Committee.