Ranil reigns!

Tuesday, 20 December 2011 00:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Chamitha Kuruppu

Veteran Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as the Leader of the United National Party for 2012, defeating his opponent Karu Jayasuriya at the much-hyped first-ever election held at the Party Headquarters yesterday.

Sajith Premadasa beating Ravi Karunanayake was elected as the Deputy Leader of the party. Businessman turned politician Daya Gamage defeated political heartthrob Dayasiri Jayasekera, becoming the National Organiser of the party.

The first-ever election of the UNP to appoint its leadership commenced last afternoon and it lasted for over four hours.

Soon after results were announced a tense situation arose in front of the UNP Headquarters. Angry supporters of Jayasuriya stormed into the Party Headquarters and pelted stones at the buildings and vehicles parked in the premises. However, the Police and VIP Security Division brought the situation under control.

Jayasuriya and Premadasa along with their supporting Parliamentarians addressed the crowd and urged to leave the premises peacefully without causing any damage to the properties and disturbing the neighbourhood.

“We thank everyone who came here to support us. We promise to continue our struggle to revive this ailing party. And we need your support to achieve that in future too,” Jayasuriya told his supporters.

According to the official results issued by the party, Wickremesinghe secured 68 votes against Jayasuriya’s 26 votes. Premadasa who was elected as the Deputy Leader secured 50 votes while Karunanayake obtained 42 votes. Gamage secured 56, defeating Jayasekera who obtained 36 votes.

UNP rebel Maithree Gunaratne charged various allegations against the Working Committee appointed by Wickremesinghe. Gunaratne said that Working Committee was forced to vote for Wickremesinghe.

“Him (Wickremesinghe) failing to come before party supporters to address shows the mockery of the election and the victory,” charged Gunaratne.

However UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said that the attack on the Party Headquarters was carried out by hired personnel and not UNP supporters.

Gamage addressing the media promised that he would make this opportunity to establish a UNP Government during the next year.

“I have to thank the Working Committee for giving me this enormous opportunity. I promise that I will abuse my position, but try to defeat the present Government and set up a UNP administration,” he added.