PM pledges to begin party restructuring

• Restructuring to begin right after no-confidence motion 
• Discussions with UNP parliamentary group sees progress on reform timelines
• Special discussions on 7 and 8 April to map out way forward 
• Monitoring committee to be appointed to evaluate reform progress   

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday pledged to fast-track the restructuring of the United National Party (UNP) immediately after the no-confidence motion, with crucial responsibility to be delegated to a new group. 

He had made these commitments during a meeting with the UNP Parliamentary Group on Tuesday.

 During the wide-ranging discussions Wickremesinghe had pledged to completely restructure the party and rejuvenate it so that it would be a strong contender in the upcoming provincial council elections and other polls, the UNP said in a statement. 

Wickremesinghe had stated that he would extensively discuss recommendations in the report submitted by the party committee headed by State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, which was appointed following the Local Government Elections and advice of other stakeholders in formulating the restructuring process. He had also said he would obtain the advice of senior party leaders before the next set of officials were appointed by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is expected to make the appointments on 30 April. 

“As such two special rounds of discussions including the UNP Executive Committee and the Parliamentary Group have already been called for 7 and 8 April. All decisions regarding the restructuring of the party are expected to be taken during these meetings and a Monitoring Committee to assess the progress of the reforms will also be appointed,” the statement added. 

The process for appointing the Monitoring Committee will be decided following discussions with the party Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and will then be notified to the UNP Parliamentary Group, according to the statement.