Ranil rebuffs Sajith’s request to reappoint Ajith Perera to WC

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe reportedly told Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday that he was not ready to reappoint MP Ajith P. Perera to the Working Committee, but had no issue in giving assent to the accommodation of the other three members.

Along with Mr. Perera, the UNP did not reappoint its MP Sarath Fonseka, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake and Imitiaz Bakeer Markar to the Working Committee in the reconstitution of it for the present year.

Mr. Premadasa, backed by Moneragala district MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara, called on Mr. Wickremesinghe yesterday at the party headquarters ‘Sirikotha’, and requested him to accommodate these four members in the Working Committee again.

According to informed UNP sources, the UNP leader showed his displeasure for any move to reappoint MP Perera. However, he said he had no issue with the other members. He said Mr. Perera spoke with a threatening tone against the party leadership.

Also, Mr. Premadasa and MP Bandara asked whether there was any move to nominate MP Navin Dissanayake as the secretary to the proposed UNP-led alliance regardless of a decision by the party’s parliamentary group. The parliamentary group decided on MP Bandara for the post. (Kelum Bandara)