UNP - SJB in a tussle

By Yohan Perera   

United National Party (UNP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are in a tussle to woo UNP members of local government bodies to their respective sides. Accordingly both sides announced that members of local bodies have pledged support to respective camps.   

UNP in a statement said on Tuesday that its members in Colombo, Dehiwala and Moratuwa local bodies have passed resolutions pledging their support to former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, while some members of the Maharagama Pradeshiya Sabha members have pledged their support to SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa.   
UNP Members of Dehiwala and Moratuwa local bodies which met at Sirikotha on Tuesday with the participation of UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake and its Colombo District Candidate Daya Gamage have passed resolution to support Mr. Wickremesinghe. Majority of members in Colombo Municipal Council passed a resolution n earlier to support the former Prime Minister. However, Mayoress Rosy Senanayake had not participated in this meeting. Mr. Karunanayake confirmed about the passing of resolutions by UNP members in Colombo, Homagama, Moratuwa and Dehiwala local bodies..  

Meanwhile, nine of 11 UNP members in the Maharagama Pradeshiya Sabha yesterday announced that they have decided to back Mr. Premadasa. The UNP member of Maharagama Pradeshiya Sabha Danushka Ramanayake made this announcement at a press conference at SJB headquarters yesterday. Maharagama Pradeshiya Sabha Opposition Leader Ruwan Jayasinghe said the nine members who are supporting Mr. Preamadasa will also back former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.