Solve UNP crisis

8 September 2010 10:52 am - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Jamila Najmuddin

A group of prominent UNP members had today called for an urgent meeting with Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasingha to discuss issues arising within the party particularly over the leadership crisis.

In a letter handed over to the Party Leader the UNP members had called for the meeting to take place this evening but the request was rejected by Mr. Wickramasingha who suggested the meeting take place next week.

A UNP MP who was among the signatories of the letter told Daily Mirror online on the conditions of anonymity that 40 senior UNP members had met at the UNP Headquarters ‘Sirikotha’ today and had noted that the prevailing leadership crisis should be settled within the party by Wickramasingha, Deputy UNP Leader Karu Jayasuriya and UNP MP Sajith Premadasa .

The 40 members were of the opinion that one of the ways in which the matter could be settled was to create a new ‘Senior Leadership’ post within the party to which Wickramasingha should be appointed. The members had then stated that Sajith Premadasa should be appointed as the new UNP leader and Karu Jayasuriya should be retained as the Deputy Leader of the party.

The members were also of the opinion that the work of the party should be handled by Premadasa as the UNP Leader.

After the informal discussions, a letter had been drafted by some UNP members requesting Wickramasingha to call for a group meeting after today’s UNP protest against the 18 Amendment in order to discuss the situation and reach a decision.

UNP sources said that 28 UNP members who were present inside the room at the time the letter was drafted had signed it and had later handed it over to Wickramasingha.

However Wickramasingha had declined to meet today and assured that a group meeting would be held next week. “When the letter was handed over to him, he responded saying today is not a good day to hold a group meeting. He said we would meet next week since 28 members had signed it. The only motive to hold such a meeting is to be able to solve the leadership crisis within the party,” the UNP MP said. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 25

sjf Wednesday, 08 September 2010 01:17 PM

Ranil must leave our party immediately. UNP is not his property, UNP is our party and we don;t want a leader like him.
Groom Sajith, he will be the next Premadasa, give him a chance.

M.ASHRAFF NAZIM Thursday, 09 September 2010 09:48 AM

IT IS A GOOD MOVE BY UNP 28 MEMEBERS SIGNED PROVIDED IT SHOULD STAY LAST LONG WITH SAJITH PREMADASA. WE WELCOME IF IT SO HAPPENS

Bluff Bluff Thursday, 09 September 2010 04:33 AM

Please wait until he is back from yet another world tour. When his seat is getting heated up he runs around the world till it cools down.

MADAWA Thursday, 09 September 2010 03:37 AM

Ranil has set record after record. Each Parliament Term how many members crossed over to government. We vote they leave. Please get a new face to leadership. I think Sajith would be best bet out of all right now for the UNP. Only person who secured the same no of seats last election from his district after all Rajapakse regime. Who ever say he is young how come USA and UK leaders are young to lead there respective countries. Those are the excuses given by RW camp.

JEM D Thursday, 09 September 2010 03:35 AM

Not to worry Sajith will stand a better chance with the Government. After all, most S L F P leaders originated from the U N P

JEM D Thursday, 09 September 2010 03:28 AM

It is nor greed man but passion to see the country into prosperity

Jooee Thursday, 09 September 2010 02:41 AM

There is no limit, on the number of times Mr Ranil could contest within his party. But the party and he wants to protest against the number of times a President could contest. What is the logic?.....................

Smart Aleck Wednesday, 08 September 2010 11:27 PM

It is now far too late for discussions!

Matara Kolla Wednesday, 08 September 2010 11:06 PM

The UNP is in an ocean of crisis, and with Ranil at the helm, no salvation is in sight!

Krishanthy Atapattu Wednesday, 08 September 2010 11:05 PM

Frankly, other than the name "Premadasa," what makes Sajith so special?

nali Wednesday, 08 September 2010 08:36 PM

He has to go to India to get advice from hanuman!

Dushantha Kurera Wednesday, 08 September 2010 07:25 PM

The UNP should amend their own constitution by taking the "leader for life" clause out!

kks perera Wednesday, 08 September 2010 03:57 PM

Sajith too young and inexperienced he will ruin the party too --perera

suwimal Wednesday, 08 September 2010 11:04 AM

This bugger must be shown the way out with dignity. Good work by frontline members!

Nandana Wednesday, 08 September 2010 01:16 PM

Perhaps he must be thinking of voting for the 18 -A tomorrow and then resign from Leadership

MK Wednesday, 08 September 2010 01:11 PM

Exactly! its so ironic how he is against extension of the presidential term, when he itself is not willing to give up power to make way for proper party reform.

Ruwan Wednesday, 08 September 2010 01:01 PM

He also greedy like Percy but less harm........

Simple Sydney Wednesday, 08 September 2010 01:01 PM

Come on Sajith. Time to move into the limelight and take decisive action the way your late father would have. This is not the time to remain on the sidelines

Bakamoona Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:58 PM

Aiyo I am fed up with UNP stories. UNP made MR a king.

Geronimo Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:53 PM

The solution is for Ranil to step down, NOW!!!

Grace Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:23 PM

Well done Ranil all the best

adel Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:13 PM

Next week can be little too late for the UNP, with the rate of cross overs, wonder whom Ranil will discuss the leadership crisis with?

Senior Citizen Wednesday, 08 September 2010 12:05 PM

Far too little and far too late. The unp goose has been cooked and even eaten by Mahinda.

sw Wednesday, 08 September 2010 11:16 AM

It is too late, this mans greed has destroyed democracy in this country, any way kick Ranil out

sara Wednesday, 08 September 2010 11:11 AM

See how cunning this man is, his ways of buying time... this has been his way of doing things for the last 16 years... Hope the members will not fall into this jokers trap this time...

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Solve UNP crisis

Comments - 25

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