Ranil says not ready to follow agenda of groups for leading the party

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday stated that he is ready to execute a plan prepared by the party as a whole team without working individually or in groups for the future victory of the party.

Wickremesinghe said that all should work together for strengthening the party and to appoint a new look and a new class of leadership by 2020 and 2025.

Former Prime Minister was speaking at a media briefing held at the party Headquarters Sirikotha after meeting with the Local Government representatives of Kurunegala District.

Expressing his views further, the UNP Leader pointed out that if everyone in the party works in unison, the party can win a majority at the General Election.

“Everyone thinks now what we will do for the Parliamentary Election. If we just get in and work together, we can get a good result. Also, if we work with other opposition parties, we can have over 110 seats.

“We have done three or four surveys and Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ahead in all of them. When you look at those surveys, you should know where our shortcomings were.” He noted that the Conservative Party in England conducted surveys and immediately after receiving the results rectified their shortcomings. “This situation is very important to us. We must correct our shortcomings in the next election.

“We should keep in mind a few things here. We cannot come here without the Maha Sangha, the middle class and the youth. There was a contest between the parties. We must find solutions to those issues through such activities. We should get that support again. This is the challenge we have as a party.

“Especially if the Maha Sangha do not accept decisions we make, our decisions taken individually or as a group will not be successful. Therefore, I will discuss all matters with the Maha Sangha. We also have discussions with the church. Without that support, we would not be able to move forward.

“How the middle-class think. How young people think. What’s need to be done new. That’s what we have to work on. Our Government is a Government that has done a great service. We didn’t talk about it. That’s the problem we had. “Also, the party needs a new look. A new leadership is needed. We’re not here every day. The party should be strengthened by 2020 and 2025. No need to wait that long. We need to get organised.”

The UNP Leader said he has no intention to lead the party forever and if the party as a whole team prepares a plan on how to proceed, he is prepared to follow that plan. “Give me a plan that everyone agrees, not as groups. Also, I have asked for amendments to the party constitution. We have to work together to do all these things.”