Fifty two MPs elect Sajith as party leader

Party’s working committee approval sought

By Yohan Perera   

The fifty two MPs who claimed they have elected Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa as the new leader of the UNP yesterday said they will seek the party’s working committee approval for the new appointment. 

 UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara told journalists yesterday that they will seek party’s working committee approval for the appointment of Mr Premadasa as the leader.   
“We will seek the approval of the working committee to appoint Mr Premadasa as the new UNP leader and we will begin talks with other parties to form a new alliance to face the General Elections,” Mr Madduma Bandara said.   

This situation was confirmed by other MPs including Harin Fernando, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Dilip Wedaarachchi.   

“We decided on the new leader by ourselves as party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe did not nominate Mr Premadasa,” Field Marshal Fonseka said.   
He said they will remain as UNP MPs and form a new alliance to contest the General Elections.