UNP leader refutes allegations of sabotage

23 November 2019 08:12 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Rejecting allegations that the party Candidate Sajith Premadasa's election campaign was sabotaged, current UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said eroding of votes for the party in the South was one of the main reasons for its defeat at the recent presidential elections.

Mr. Wickremesinghe who made this remark addressing some party activists for the first time after the recent presidential election stressed the need to focus on revamping the party without pointing fingers at each other for the electoral defeat.

“I nominated former Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa as our candidate for the presidential election and the Party unanimously approved his candidature. We contested the election together with a number of other parties. I can assure that those in Sirikotha and others in the party machinery had done their job. I reject the allegations that have been made by some that the campaign was sabotaged. We gave responsibilities to various persons including the members of parliament. They have fulfilled these responsibilities. I undertook the responsibility of wooing the voters in the North and the East. I have been able to increase the party’s votes in these two areas. Our votes have eroded in the South. That was the main reason for our defeat. We have not got the desired response from the people for the activities which our government carried out such as development, ensuring democracy and law and order,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

He said the UNP has come up with a new leader who could win elections and build a new look to the party.

“We need to focus on the future of the party and have to come up with new leadership to the party, which should be given the task to come out with new policies to the party. We need to create a new leader who could win elections. Party reforms will be completed once that is done. We will get the opportunity of going along with a new leadership then. As Buddhists pointing fingers at each other is not what one should be doing. We need to understand as to where we went wrong. Then we can correct ourselves. Therefore we need to focus on a new programme and create a new UNP with the blessings of the Maga Sangha,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

“We have to focus on determining as to why the UNP had lost its Sinhala Buddhist base image which it possessed once and have to review the situation. It would be possible to move ahead only if we undertake such an exercise. We will not be successful if we spend time pointing fingers at each other,” he added.

Mr. Wickremesinghe then refuted the allegations that are being made on misusing of party funds. No officer bearer was given responsibility on financial matters of the party. This matter should be probed and action should be taken on those who are responsible if the allegations being made with regard to party funds are true,” he said. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 11

ravin Saturday, 23 November 2019 01:28 PM

Postmortem is good. But had everyone analysis the results correctly? Statements made by certain individuals? It was clear that play to the gallery was not working any more. This is the trend in future world politics. Never forget today's technology.

mr. bond Saturday, 23 November 2019 01:39 PM

just shut up. We know your hidden game with pawul paksa

Leelananda Pilanawithana Saturday, 23 November 2019 01:41 PM

It is funny. Still he doesn't know actual cause of the heavy defeat. It was you and your robber royal gang who robbed the nation from 1st day of the ya8mapalanaya.

Anmanpan Saturday, 23 November 2019 01:49 PM

Can you please explain as to how a "Kabaragoya" became a "Thalagoya" on a low rated TV channel after Sajith was nominated as the UNP presidential candidate.

johan Saturday, 23 November 2019 01:50 PM

UNP must understand everyone did their best to win the election but there were two minus points contributed SLPP to gain plus marks 1)Easter Bomb Blast 2)1 million 1st time voters(Younger generation)They do not know late President Premedasa even much about Sajith. But they knew Gota very well.

june macapagal Saturday, 23 November 2019 02:23 PM

Ranil has totally failed. so he must not step down because he will never win.

Manu Saturday, 23 November 2019 02:56 PM

He finds always the reason to defend himself. Damn fellow. Good for nothing.

Indrajith Saturday, 23 November 2019 03:26 PM

Even without any contribution from Ranil, votes of the North and East would have anyway come to Sajith in the way it did.Things turned turtle when the Tamil parties jointly laid some demands before the main Presidential candidates. When TNA declared their support to Sajith, the Pohottuwa took advantage and campaigned amongst the Sinhala Buddhist that the NDF had given into the Tamil demands.This resulted in the NDF and Sajith losing Sinhala Buddhist votes.

Andrew Silva Monday, 25 November 2019 08:11 AM

Not only should he vacate the leadership of the UNP he should leav politics entirely. Sri Lanka will be better off minus Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe in any form of politics.

Sambo Monday, 25 November 2019 09:20 AM

You cannot refute the truth. Some the senior ministers only gave lip service and no full support. Even while in power they never worked for the people. During the 12 days of train strike what a action did the government take. They just did not care about the public. This alone is a part of your defeat.

Anoosh Monday, 25 November 2019 12:28 PM

Be Cool Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe. Modayas doesn't know anything only defeat.

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UNP leader refutes allegations of sabotage

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