No outsiders from UNP ticket

11 January 2011 08:00 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The UNP has decided not to accommodate members of other parties such as the SLMC under its elephant symbol at the upcoming local government election unless they obtain the party membership first, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said

Mr. Attanayake told a news conference that the UNP would contest the polls for all 303 local bodies, and the second round of interviews for the selection of candidates would be conducted from January 16 to 17 at district levels.

The General Secretary said that the party decided to give prominence to its members with no disciplinary charges or inquiries during their term in the outgoing councils.

“We will give nominations to a number of youth and women candidates. Also, we seek to encourage professionals to contest on the UNP ticket. However, we will not entertain members from other parties. If they wish to contest with us, they should obtain the UNP membership first,” he said.

Asked whether this decision was taken due to the crossover of some SLMC and Tamil MPs elected on the UNP ticket last time, he replied, “Definitely, yes. We had numerous problems as a result. We are unable to take disciplinary action against them because they belong to a different party. We will not make that mistake again.

Responding to a query whether this stand would be applicable to major elections in future, he said that this decision was taken in respect of this election only.

“However, my personal view is that the party should remain rigid in this regard in the future too,” he said.

Eight SLMC MPs and three Tamil party MPs elected on the UNP ticket have now switched allegiance to the government. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 21

Conga.. Tuesday, 11 January 2011 09:42 AM

Get Sajit to the leadership asap. Or else the defeat will be yours and your boss Ranil's baby and will push Ranil supporters to political oblivion.

Mahesh Wednesday, 12 January 2011 02:17 AM

Good dont depend on them. Only UNP can do wonders.

ismath Tuesday, 11 January 2011 02:04 PM

yah its good y we r going to take other party members. v have good members and take them. discuss with our new leader sajith and experiance ranil.

Yehiya-Doha Tuesday, 11 January 2011 01:25 PM

This is wrong decision. Tissa with whom.Again party is going wrong path. Look JVP they never greedy. Select good members & respected party .

bigsam Tuesday, 11 January 2011 01:06 PM

Even better suggestion - try NO INSIDERS FROM UNP TICKET and see the difference...

KHKaru Tuesday, 11 January 2011 01:04 PM

Looks like the UNP would have a neck to neck contest with the JVP for the last place.

mohamed - doha Tuesday, 11 January 2011 11:16 AM

you should be thrown out of UNP..you are not suitable for speaker position.You don't have the guts to point things.

KD Tuesday, 11 January 2011 10:48 AM

UNP leant the lesson last presidential election.

Roshan Tuesday, 11 January 2011 10:35 AM

What the use of having Party membership?Still not learnt the lesson from Ranga and the Tele-drama actress.

RW Tuesday, 11 January 2011 10:19 AM

And also what happened to Manusha, Pabha baby, Luxhman Senevi etc? You will have to conduct many many disciplinery inquiries if Ranil continues the leadership.

pasha Tuesday, 11 January 2011 09:56 AM

with the help of those from SLMC and mano Ganeshan UNP obtained at least 25% vote last time. without them now UNP might get 15-18% of votes

Navin Tuesday, 11 January 2011 08:22 AM

Well, good move, how ever what is the disciplinary that you have taken against the UNP party member (Abdul Qadir) who cross over to the gov. site. Anyway just awaiting the results of the good news that new leader has been selected.

Lucky Tuesday, 11 January 2011 09:31 AM

World is going in the opposite direction. UNP need not go alone. But, they have to join with like minded parties. Not with parties that change sides to win favours from the party that obtain the majority seats.

Only parties that have similar values must unite.

Aney mandha Tuesday, 11 January 2011 09:27 AM

Absolutely good move. highly commendable. Marriage with SLMC was a major mistake on UNP's side. It has really made UNP no where in east and other are areas where muslim vote base in sizable. This move will pay results in few years time as once again th muslim and tamil vote base will start to flock the jumbo party.

Ryan Tuesday, 11 January 2011 09:12 AM

Terrible move, that means UNP ideology has nothing to share

Nihal Amarasekera Tuesday, 11 January 2011 09:07 AM

Thus; will it be a one horse (elephant) race? High hopes.

Dinesh Tuesday, 11 January 2011 08:42 AM

I am totally agree with this decision.Now party is accountable to the member elected on their party .Also people from the parties come and win the election without doing nothing and move the GVT for their personal benift only.

Konde bendapu china Tuesday, 11 January 2011 08:41 AM

days are counting for you,and who will trust what you say

kalakanniya Tuesday, 11 January 2011 08:34 AM

are u allowing mr sajith premadasa supporters to contest under unp ?

rithik Tuesday, 11 January 2011 08:33 AM

Good move.... Hope to see same decision in future elections too....

Fayad Tuesday, 11 January 2011 08:30 AM

Tissa your norms are bit outdated in the modern political arena.
better you & your leader reform or step-down for the betterment of the party & the country.

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No outsiders from UNP ticket

Comments - 21

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