Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

UNP to hold internal polls

5 May 2010 03:54 pm - 59     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The United National Party (UNP) Working Committee which met late this evening has decided to hold an internal election in order to select new leaders by July, UNP Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilake told reporters outside the party office at Sirikotha a short while ago.
 

Karunathilake further said that following the internal elections of the party a ‘new leadership’ will emerge within the UNP. (YP)
 


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 59

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Thursday, 06 May 2010 06:07 AM

    Except Ranil there is none as leader of the country! all good and best brains were killed by LTTE. Ranil is not addressing the common man's understanding, cannot come to grass root level, sajith is good but not as a leader! unfortuntely none can be promoted as the leader!

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 03:39 AM

    Mr. Wickremasinghe is not the only person one should blame when an election is lost, we should blame all UNP members & it's supporters who go around bad-mouthing the party & the leadership. If one is to win anything one should stand united and think as one. That's how one wins a war.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 04:08 AM

    what exactly are the kind of qualities you are talking about??? How exactly can you come to that observation?!

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 04:13 AM

    Sajith is good for lead rural villages but not the country. In fact sajith leadership was under fire when he was deputy minister of health. I can not understand why UNP people want to sack ranil

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 04:17 AM

    At last a good time has dawned for UNP . The post of leader should go to Sajith and there is no point appointing any other. Sajith possess all what you need to be the leader of UNP. He has proved himself in Hambantota. If he really wanted to lead a luxury life he could have stayed in Colombo but he toiled hard in a remote area and he really worked for the people. May he become the leader of UNP and the dream of President Premadasa come true.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 04:24 AM

    We all should be greatfull to RW for showing the nation the importance of decomacracy. Now Sagith wants a democratic election to elect leaders. This is the best thing that has happened in Sri Lanka.I hope RW will abide by the democracy he created in this country.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 04:34 AM

    Long live opposition leader !!!!

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 05:01 AM

    Ranil is the best in all aspects you have mentioned except for the leading ability

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 05:03 AM

    Sajit is too good for Colombo , Specially Colombo Central. That is why Ranil does not want him in Colombo District. If Sajit was leading from Colombo UNP would have easily won over 50% of the votes. I know personally how President Premadasa worked tireless to uplift the Colombo Central electorate. Remmber Colombo Central was a SLFP seat initially with SLFP and CP winning all 3 seats in Colombo Central. At first President Premadasa was 4 in Colombo Central. He rose to 1st over the years and made Colombo Central the most safe UNP seat.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 05:04 AM

    Sajith will do.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 05:12 AM

    Leaders? Does this include the THE LEADER as well? I think not

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 05:30 AM

    Sajith should not take the UNP leadership now.This is not the right time.Wait for the right time to take it.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 05:37 AM

    This Gentleman in Srilankan politics has shown that he is incapable in leading a team, but might have the ability to have better vision for the country in the future, hence he should handover the leadership of the party to young Sajith, and be his consultant. I am 65 years old, UNPer from Birth, I need to see UNP back on the saddle in the near future before I die, as we know what the UNP could do for the Country.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 05:48 AM

    'Long live opposition leader' we can say that for how long? another 50yrs?

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 05:54 AM

    "showing the nation the importance of democracy". too late though.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 03:33 AM

    Ranil is intelligent, has a vision for the country and is straightforward. That's one of the reasons why he will never make a good politician, especially in Sri Lanka.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 06:07 AM

    Don't overestimate guys. This statement of Gayantha aims only at the deputy leadership. Ranil should not step down. He is the choice of intellectuals. Either people should educate themselves on this matter, or they should accept the life filled with poverty and corruption. Why I need UNP is for a change of the system. If Sajith comes, I won't see a difference between the UNP and the ruling party. What we need is not just green or elephants, but policies.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 06:31 AM

    If Ranil is a real gentlemen and he like his own party and mother Lanka…… this is the right time for him to step down and handover the party leadership to young bloods. Sajith , Dayasiri, Gayantha, Sujeewa & Buddika must be appointed to top level of party hierarchy.
    Ranil must act as the party adviser and should share his political experience with new people who are going to be appointed as next generation leaders. Karu and tissa too step down and remain as senior MPs.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 06:37 AM

    SAJITH ...TAKE OVER
    NEW YOUNG BLOOD WITH NEW IDEAS
    GOOD LUCK

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 06:46 AM

    Party adviser is a myth. If Ranil stepped down, he is gone forever. Chandrika is an adviser of SLFP. May I know to whom does she advise today?

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 06:51 AM

    Exactly Right!

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 06:55 AM

    RW is responsible for this state of affairs in UNP.
    Since demise of late President Premadasa, UNP did not have a leader to take charge of the party with a strong awareness of grassroot level politics of Sri Lanka. RW survived because of JR and his supporters.
    UNP Leadreship should be changed immediately and whoever takes over should give the highest priority to the souvereignity to the country and no hidden agendas to satisfy the enemies of Sri Lanka.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 06:59 AM

    Ranil is not a suitable person for even Pinnawala

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 07:05 AM

    IT'S A GREAT STEP FORWARD FOR ADVANCED DEMOCRACY BY UNP.IT IS NOT IMPORTANT WHO IS LEADING THE PARTY,WHOEVER QUALIFIED WILL DO IT.IMPORTANT IS TO IMPROVE DEMOCRACY IN COUNTRY AND PROMOTE FREE TRADE AND FREE ECONOMIC POLICIES TO MAKE SRI LANKA BETTER COUNTRY TO LIVE AND PROSPER.UNP IS AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER PARTIES IN SRI LANKA TODAY.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 07:17 AM

    To do South Asian politics effectively,one must interacts with common people of the country.Ranil does not have that quality.This is a huge huge minus for him.He can not be blamed for that because that is the way he is brought up.To keep UNP on it's feet again, It needs a leadership like JRJ/Premadasa which we had in early 80s.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 07:24 AM

    Is only RW responsible? Isn't it the way president Premadasa made UNP lost? Can't you remember the way people celebrated his death with fire crackers and milk rice? It was seconded only to the celebrations at Prabakaran's death. Why do you transfer Premadasa's sins to genuine professional Ranil Wickramasinghe? This is pathetic. I remember Mr D.M Jayaratne told soon after the 1994 political change, that UNP will not come to power even after 30 years. But just after 7 years, UNP took it back. This is just Ranil. Stop blaming at him. give him time and support

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 07:25 AM

    Local boy, you can say that again !! I do agree with you.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 07:30 AM

    Hi Gayan S,
    Your comments are an eye-opener. Your worthy opinion got me thinking too. Thanks.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 07:45 AM

    I wish; even after this step UNP will have a "BRIGHT FUTURE" in SL politics

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 07:46 AM

    SAJITH!!! SAJITH!!! SAJITH!!!

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 11:29 PM

    'External polls' said it all. So, why bother?

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 04:14 PM

    Sajith.... Sajith....! Sajith.... Sajith....! Sajith... Sajith....!

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 04:20 PM

    Good Signs!!!!!!!!

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 04:59 PM

    I hope karu will take the reigns... We need a mature leader.. Younger ones need to learn a fair deal..

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:09 PM

    Let the new elections be democratic, clean without rigging, pressure and threats.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:09 PM

    East or West Ranil is the best leader for the UNP and for the country.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:31 PM

    Good move by the party. Ranil should be the leader and sajith should be the deputy with more powers.

    it should be like JR & PREMADASA style.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:40 PM

    Great if changes happens as expected. we need a strong opposition

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:48 PM

    Let me predict that RW will be the fearless leader of the UNP. Long live the permanent opposition. Hip hip hooray .

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 05:58 PM

    Campaigning for country's democracy before adapting it in the UNP.........

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:05 PM

    i hope sajith wil be next leader and ranil must remain in the party as a adviser

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 06:59 PM

    Everyone wants Sajith ... he may have the qualities to lead the UNP, but not to lead the country.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:12 PM

    By July, they will forget all this and play a different tune.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 10:08 PM

    This is the first step towards rebuilding the UNP. The next step is to ask Ranil to go home, gracefully.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 10:57 PM

    This is something that should have happened many years ago. Ranil has made the UNP very impotent.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 04:11 PM

    MR Ranil is very weak person to lead the party the person must have leading ablity. honest. intergity. sound knowledge in politics, law and order, economics. democracy.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 11:48 PM

    Sanity, at last! Ranil is a good and honest man, but not a good leader.

    Wednesday, 05 May 2010 11:52 PM

    This will, hopefully, usher in a dynamic new chapter in the affairs of the 'Grand Old Party.'

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 12:43 AM

    Ranil...Ranil...Ranil...Ranil...Ranil...Get out....Get out....Get out !.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 12:45 AM

    Rail is like a Rolex which doesn't show the correct time !.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 12:49 AM

    Nothing substantial has happened. The election thing is still at proposal stage. Another committe is appointed to look into party reforms. No body has a spine to say that party reforms should start with Ranil ousted or he himself be a candidate for leadership.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 01:01 AM

    No matter, Who ever comes !

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 02:12 AM

    Beware of Computer Jilmaarts!!!

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 02:32 AM

    We need Dayasiri. He should be given deputy leader or national organizer.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 02:34 AM

    Mr Ranil must leave..but before you go..give your knowledge to Sajith

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 02:35 AM

    In 77 election time we have seen many young leaders like Lalith, Gamini, Premachandra who address meetings in even rural areas covering the whole Island. Have U seen such young leaders since 94 to address peoples heart and attract them? It is the time to find a strategic Leadership for the party now. Go ahead and wish speedy recovery of UNP.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 02:36 AM

    Sajith? those who were in the Ministry of Health when he was Depu. Minister of Health , had first hand experience of the attitude of Sajith and his third class leadership. God bless UNP!!!!!!

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 02:54 AM

    Having elected party officials must be included in the UNP constitution so that no leader can hold on to power while ruining the party and losing 14 elections under his/her watch.

    Thursday, 06 May 2010 03:21 AM

    Elect leaders or Leader ? The need is to go back to DS's constitution in the UNP, where all were elected by the membership. This is what is needed to be ratified now in the UNP. All other matters will fall into place thereafter.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H