UNP clarifies leadership confusion

Wednesday, 12 August 2020 00:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Asiri Fernando

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday sought to clear the confusion regarding leadership change at the party, following the humiliating defeat suffered by the UNP at the General Elections last week.

Issuing a press release, the Central Bureau of the UNP confirmed that Party Leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had indicated the need for leadership change at a meeting held with 'party seniors' on 10 August.

However, Wickremesinghe, who has held the party leadership since 1994, had requested them to set in motion the process that would enable a new leader to be appointed. According to the press release, Wickremesinghe has requested parties interested in “seeking the leadership role” to submit proposals to “restructure the party” at the next Working Committee meeting.

Wickremesinghe requested that those gathered to discuss the “proposed plans for restructuring the party with the relevant interested parties, submit their proposals at the next Working Committee meeting,” the press release stated.

Four former Parliamentarians are contenders to succeed Wickremesinghe. They are: UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Deputy Leader Ravi Karunanayake, and former MPs Daya Gamage and Vajira Abeywardena. These four party members have indicated their interest in the UNP leadership.

Speaking to the media, UNP General Secretary Kariyawasam stated that proposed names would be presented to the party’s Working Committee on 14 August, but indicated that a final decision would not be taken on that day.

The long-running battle over UNP leadership continues as the 73-year-old party struggles to restructure after voters denied them even one electoral win at last week's polls.