Legal committee to study use of elephant by alliance

Crucial talks involving the leaders of the two factions of the United National Party (UNP) ended yesterday with the decision to consult the legal advice on the possibility of the alliance using the elephant symbol at the general elections.

One of the factions is led by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe while the other is led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and attended by MPs Ranjith Madduma Bandara, John Amaratunga, Chandrani Bandara, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Lakshman Kiriella, Malik Samarawickrama, Kabir Hashim, Navin Dissanayake and Mangala Samaraweera.

Mr. Kariyawasam who is the UNP general secretary said a legal committee comprising party stalwarts Daya Pelpola and Ronald Perera would be consulted on the possibility of the alliance using the elephant symbol at the general elections. The committee is to meet on Monday.

Mr. Bandara who is a Premadasa loyalist and the general secretary of the new alliance -- ‘Samagi Janabalawegaya’ said talks were fruitful and there was agreement to contest under a common symbol.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kiriella said the party would explore the possibility of using the elephant symbol, but would opt for the swan symbol in case of any impediment to the use of the elephant symbol. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)