Ruwan says would contest for UNP Leadership

UNP Deputy General-Secretary Ruwan Wijewardene over the weekend announced that he vied for the party's leadership following requests made by many party members including those who contested at the recent General Election.

Mr Wijewardene announced at a meeting held at the UNP office in Anuradhapura East on Saturday.

"Many UNP candidates and others in the party made requests to take over the leadership. Some telephoned me while others came from distant areas such as Ampara and Trincomalee to meet me personally and requested me to take over the party leadership,” he said.

“Also venerable Buddhist monks have also given me their blessings. Therefore I would like to announce that I have decided to vie for the UNP leadership," Mr Wijewardene told the gathering amidst cheers.

"UNP should be turned into an effective alternative to the present government. This is a difficult task. However, we have to face it and go across the country to boost party membership. We will have to find out where we went wrong and rectify the shortcomings. Our task is to make our party a powerful force that could challenge the present government,” he added.

Former MP Ashu Marasinghe said Mr Wijewardene must take over the party leadership as he is suitable for that post given his qualities. "We have seen how he dealt with criticism by opponents in the last Parliament. You can't refuse or go backwards. Please take over the party leadership" Professor Marasinghe told Me. Wijewardene at the meeting.

Mr Wijewardene and the team called on several prominent Buddhist prelates in Anuradhapura including chief incumbent of Attamasthana Venerable Pallegama Siriniwasa Thera and were also engaged in religious observance at the sacred Srimahaboddi during his visit.(Yohan Perera and Athula Bandara)