Wednesday, 9 October 2013 01:28
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Ranil, Karu and Sajith talks to finalise formula for new Leadership Council postponed because the latter is ‘unavailable’
By Dharisha Bastians
Talks to finalise modalities of the proposed UNP Leadership Council between Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Deputy Leaders Karu Jayasuriya and Sajith Premadasa tomorrow failed after Premadasa said he was unable to meet this week.
During a meeting of the UNP Parliamentary Group yesterday, Thursday was proposed for the discussion between the three parties, which would make decisions on how the Leadership Council would function once it is set up.
However, Premadasa claimed he was unable to meet on Thursday or this week and did not appear in too much of a hurry to move on the matter, high ranking UNP sources told Daily FT.
The UNP Working Committee which met on Monday decided that Wickremesinghe, Jayasuriya and Premadasa should meet to hammer out the formula for the new council and then inform the committee. “Until this meeting takes place, the matter cannot move forward,” a top party source said.
The meeting will likely take place next week once Premadasa confirms availability, the source said.
The UNP Leader briefed the Parliamentary Group yesterday on the proposed Leadership Council. The council will have seven or nine members and will be chaired by Karu Jayasuriya, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said and added that powers from the UNP Leader will be delegated to the council. Wickremesinghe would not be a member of the council, Attanayake explained.
Some members of the Parliamentary Group said the changes were not drastic enough, sources said.
