UNP Working Committee finalises SJB constitution

• Agreement on symbol to be discussed at next WC meeting on Sunday
• UNP to nominate 60% of SJB Working Committee: Akila
• Individual parties to manage member disciplinary issues
• Nominations of stakeholder parties need approval by UNP leadership

A Working Committee meeting of the United National Party (UNP) which discussed matters of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), ended yesterday without reaching a decision on its symbol but did reach a consensus on the constitution to be adopted.

The meeting was seen as an opportunity to resolve the ongoing debate on which symbol the alliance will use in the elections, however as it was left undecided and the Working Committee is to meet tomorrow to finalise the matter. 

The Committee had come to several agreements regarding the SJB constitution. “It was decided that 60% of the SJB working committee will be appointed by the UNP,” UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told the Daily FT.

The Leader of the UNP and Executive Committee will select 45% of the above mentioned 60% and the remaining 15% will be selected by the SJB alliance leader. 

“The stakeholder parties will be able draft a nomination list; however, the final nominations list is subject to approval by the UNP leader,” Kariyawasam explained. 

The contours of the SJB alliance led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is taking shape with the Tamil Progressive Alliance and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress joining its ranks this week. The SJB plans to sign a stakeholder agreement at a launch planned for Monday.