UNP reformists adopt three-point reform plan
UNP reformists yesterday decided that after the appointment of the proposed leadership council, the term ‘UNP Leader’ would be replaced in the party’s Constitution with ‘Leadership Council’ (LC).
The UNP present leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe, could appoint three members to the LC and Hambantota District MP Sajith Premadasa and Gampaha District MP Karu Jayasuriya should have powers to appoint the balance four to nine-member the Council, the UNP rebels said.
The decision was taken at a meeting presided by the President of the United Bhikku Front, Ven. Girambe Ananda and Ven. Wadduwe Dhammissara Theras at the Kurunegala District UNP MP Ashok Abeysinghe’s residence.
The meeting was attended by MPs Sajith Premadasa, Karu Jayasuriya, Palitha Range Bandara, Sujeewa Senasinghe and Nalin Bandara. Prof. S. Dissanayake represented the Wickremesinghe faction.
Leadership Council hopefuls and former UNP Deputy Leaders Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasuriya endorsed the three points approved at the meeting led by the United Bhikku Front.
UNP Southern Provincial Councillor Maithree Gunaratne, who was at the meeting, told The Island that the first point was the composition of the Leadership Council. “The present leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe, would appoint three members, Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasurya have already been appointed and the remaining four members would be appointed with Sajith’s and Karu’s consent.
Gunaratne said the second one was that the UNP leader post would be changed to Leadership Council in the party Constitution.
The third point approved at the meeting was that after the appointment of the Leadership Council, the Working Committee meetings would be chaired by the President of the LC.
(Courtesy: The Island)
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This is a good plan. But the million doller question is will the UNP Leader Rani and his stooges controlling the UNP Working committee agree and adopt these three point plan and other recommendations put forwarded by the Eksath Bikku Peramuna? I have my doubt and do not be surprised to hear after todays UNP Working committee meeting a total rejection of these proposals, and the UNP will be divded into another new group which will openly support General Sarath Fonseka’s party at future elections.
What I said earlier in my comments were proved to be correct as the UNP Working Committee has openly disregared the assurance given to the Eksath Bikshu Peramuna and it is reported that Sajith has resigned from the Leadership council as a protest to the decisions of the UNP working Committee and Ranil will continue as a life leader of the UNP to conduct all future elections for the party, and a clear sweet defeat is now written on the walls for the party.