Pro-reformists of UNP to form alternative to defeat Govt.

The pro-reformists of main opposition United National Party (UNP) were not trying to build an alternative against the party, but against the government, the Deputy Leader of the UNP, Sajith Premadasa said.

A way forward?

Addressing press conference at the Bodhi Ranasinghe Foundation in Colombo yesterday with the former UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, Premadasa said that the pro-reform group was trying to show an alternative path to defeat the anti-democratic government that is against the people.

He noted that a wide alliance needed to be formed to fight against the government.

He said that no one in the UNP wanted to create groups and factions within the party, although there were differences in opinions and ideologies that are exchanged between the party members and that it was all within the party framework.

Meanwhile, Jayasuriya told the media that the UNP is not a party of a single person.

He said that there are no divisions or factions in the party as they are all members of the UNP and everyone was committed to the party.

Jayasuriya emphasised that he has absolutely no intention of formulating an alternate UNP.

According to Jayasuriya, party members needed to unite instead of trying to take revenge from each other.  He explained that although all factions should have united after the election for office bearers, it has not happened due to acts of revenge, animosity and hatred following the election.

However, he said, it was time for everyone to unite and address the issues faced by the people.  The two seniors of the party held the press conference today to dispel the speculations that they will be forming an alternative party to the UNP. They also addressed the new regulations with regard to the party’s policy on speaking to the media and discussed a way forward for the party and the country.