Majority of UNP MPs want Ranil to leave

18 January 2020 08:23 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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While stating that they want a legitimate change of leadership in the UNP, the MPs who are currently lobbying for a change in the party yesterday said they were hopeful that party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will take a positive step in this regard during the coming days.

Several UNP MPs Harsha De Silva, Harin Fernando, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ajith P. Perera and J.C. Alawathuwala said they were hopeful that Mr. Wickremesinghe will resign from the leadership with dignity and allow Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa to take over.

Dr. De Silva who elaborated on Thursday’s parliamentary group meeting said Mr. Wickremesinghe had informed the MPs that he will not contest any national election after 2025 and a change will be made to the UNP leadership by 2023.

“ Mr. Wickremesinghe had informed the group that he had received many phone calls from party members and that 95 per cent of them want him to continue as the leader. He also said he would come back to the MPs after meeting Mr. Premadasa and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya during the weekend. When some MPs proposed a poll to determine the majority view, several MPs such as Vajira Abeywardene and others have insisted that Mr. Wickremesinghe should continue as the leader. Mr. Wickremesinghe and others then walked out of the meeting after arguments. MP Ranjith Maduma Bandara had then proposed that Mr. Premadasa should take the chair and continue the meeting. Thereafter a poll was conducted to determine the majority view and the majority had wanted a leadership change,” Dr. De Silva said.

“Yesterday’s Parliamentary group was a battle between two ideas where some MPs wanted a new face to the UNP while others wanted Party leader Wickremesinghe to stay on till 2024. An unofficial vote was conducted to seek the majority view,” he added.

MP Ajith P. Perera said they expect Mr. Wickremesinghe to resign from the leadership in a dignified manner. “We trust that this would happen so that the party could come out with new ideology and with a new face. Some have tried to convince Mr. Wickremesinghe that the party will die a natural death if he leaves,” he said. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 18

Jude Saturday, 18 January 2020 09:06 AM

Neither UNP or SLFP going to LAST long!!! Both parties will be defunct soon!! Very soon!!?? Think about this SLFP NOT fielded a Presidential candidate since 1988 and UNP never had one since 1994 !!! Go figure!!! Huh!!!

Upali HSW Wednesday, 22 January 2020 11:28 AM

No body can't delete UNP from the Srilankan Politics. Many tried since 1950s but failed.

Sunil Saturday, 18 January 2020 09:06 AM

and almost all the people of this country want Ranil to leave. He has done enough damage to the nation.

Metta Saturday, 18 January 2020 09:16 AM

You idiots should leave the UNP

mp Saturday, 18 January 2020 09:22 AM

But there is no better replacement. It proved the results at the Presidential election.

Rajitha Saturday, 18 January 2020 09:26 AM

Ravi K is probably busy behind the scenes to prop up Rani W. Ravi knows if Sajith P. enters the fray he will have to leave the party.

Anmanpan Saturday, 18 January 2020 11:04 AM

The mother of all battles. Just junk the old jackass and his brood.

Sammy Saturday, 18 January 2020 12:35 PM

Hope this happens soon. Why does he want to shamelessly hang on.

Ranjith Saturday, 18 January 2020 12:40 PM

Ranil is very unpopular person no future for UNP under his leadership Ranil has to step down from leadership or Sajith and his supporters should form a new party and let Ranil lead the UNP with his supporters best solution Sajith to form a new party and form a government in 2025

ANTON Saturday, 18 January 2020 12:44 PM

MAJORITY OF PUBLIC WANT RANIL TO GO TOO

Monica De Alwis Saturday, 18 January 2020 02:23 PM

Wonder why Ranil is holding on to the Leadership for so long. Perhaps, wanting to hide the accounts of the party? Or, something that shouldn't shouldn't known to all?

Denawaka Hamine Saturday, 18 January 2020 03:48 PM

How can Ranil step down when his Deal with the Govt.is to see that Sajith fares poorly in the coming elections and the Govt .will ensure Ranil is saved from the Bond Scam issue.

Peduyru wasala Saturday, 18 January 2020 04:09 PM

If r. Premadasa win the president election in 1988 by v. Narrow margin thanking to j.v.p who block the indipendan election in sourthen even though he had been amoung people from 1956 how his son can win a election. His son and his supporters mps doing a contract of someone as we understand. Because after 2005 there was a challenge to leader ship occured when election come. No government done very absolute work o people like former goferment but unfortunately the most of mps not educate the people in their electorates. They all were in Colombo. It seems they want to get lost and create chance to have rajapaksa government in next General election and cross to it to make 2/3 parliament getting under counter benifits The people know all plans emplimate by ranil. So kick all these culprits from the party and intraduse new young faces is what ranil has to do

Yankee Dude Saturday, 18 January 2020 04:32 PM

So does the Majority of the UNP supporters too ! .

Leo Saturday, 18 January 2020 04:44 PM

what? The same people who wanted Ranil to be the PM of the country? Is the party more important than the country?

Jerome Sunday, 19 January 2020 02:12 PM

Gracefully retire best way forward.

samson Monday, 20 January 2020 06:24 PM

Ranil has killed the party and the country. If he wants let him stay while others should form new party or support the new president. UNP has no immediate future whoever leads, so better let R kill the UNP and for the majority to form new party and try in 2025.

Sena Wednesday, 22 January 2020 12:51 PM

There must be a retirement age for politicians. That's when we will have fresh blood to lead with new ideas.

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Majority of UNP MPs want Ranil to leave

Comments - 18

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