Ranil should step down-Fmr. MPs

4 January 2011 10:14 am - 49 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A group of former UNP Parliamentarians are schedule to hand over a letter to UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe requesting him to resign from the Party Leadership while also expressing support to Hambantota District MP Sajith Premadasa for the UNP leadership post.

Former UNP MPs Gemunu Abeysundara, MD Premaratne, Vincent Dias, Reginald Perera, Anura Bastian and D.M. Bandaranayake are scheduled to hand over the letter.

Addressing a media conference in Colombo, Mr. Premaratne said that the letter is to be handed over to the Secretary to the UNP Leader this evening. (SR)

Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

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Comments - 49

Ross Milan Wednesday, 05 January 2011 12:40 AM

If Ranil steps down thats the end of the UNP

nihal Tuesday, 04 January 2011 01:28 PM

This is the dream of all UNP'ers. but it will be a dream until RW takes the ride in the "back of a black limousine".

Ranjith Tuesday, 04 January 2011 02:00 PM

If somebody wants Sajith as UNP leader, both SLFP and UNP would be the same and become the second party to please the gallery with slogans and steel the wealth from people

KHKaru Tuesday, 04 January 2011 05:29 PM

Please let him continue the losing streak, and become the second MP to enter the Guiness book of world records.

Steve Tuesday, 04 January 2011 05:44 PM

Ranil stepping down? Keep on dreaming !

Mohamed Tuesday, 04 January 2011 05:55 PM

Are you working for MR?

Mohamed Tuesday, 04 January 2011 06:09 PM

Paul; Your story is nice to write a book but not in reality (This is Sri Lanka man). Don't talk like you know all. A good leader will step down once He loose the election. It is simple democratic tradition (Ex: Gordon Brown) no matter how good he is (His strategy is not working period!!!!). If Ranil could have step down 5 years back UNP could have very good leader at this time (Some of the UNPs gave up with this guy and cross the party). So if Ranil doesn't step down now then we will have worse UNP leader in the future. Sajith is not perfect but He is the only one in the pot. If we miss this opportunity then UNP is going to be minor party in 10 years. Whether we like or not Sajith is the only option now UNP has (Ranil is also good to write book like you but not to win the election).

Danton Tuesday, 04 January 2011 06:37 PM

Ranil will not leave now cos he has lot of Driving to do with MR's New car and bring down the UNP, So better make him step down he has been oiled to stay by MR.

Amused Tuesday, 04 January 2011 06:55 PM

Most of these “Formers” are "Pole Vaulters". Rejected by the people in the elections and/or not nominated, by party. They were not rejected by the people, as claimed by some due to BAD policies of Ranil. Then how come Ranil himself was elected at the elections for the last 16 years? These "FORMER MPs" comments only undermine the intelligence of the voters who elected Ranil. They want to make Ranil, FORMER LEADER, & become Back Door HON. Ministers en masse, then follow opposing policies!

n.c.wijeratne Tuesday, 04 January 2011 07:09 PM

Whatever is wrong with the UNP has nothing to do with the leadership.There is no clear cut programme in opposing the Govt.s present strategies-specially in the area of cost of living what is way forward if the UNP has to really get down to working out a public debate-UNP is weak in goading the masses-UNP is weak in planning out a fullscale protest against the Govt. Some UNP MPs are half hearted they are not committed to a cause-They are drifting-The Leasdership can be steered if the membership has a propoer focus.

Kim Tuesday, 04 January 2011 07:44 PM

I................O......o.......o...... Ranil what is this???????????????????????????????????

Conga.. Tuesday, 04 January 2011 08:19 PM

Man leadership steers any party.... Ranil does not know how to steer. He has a International driving license not a Sri Lankan one. So fire this useless mutt Ranil.

Acord Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:23 PM

other than ranil nobody is to run the UNP...even sajith o who ever comes...even premadasa is alive he cant do according to the current family rulers...

bigsam Tuesday, 04 January 2011 01:12 PM

Yes - preferably a senior consultant, taking a page from the govt. He can sit there warming the chair and continue his jaunts to India to lecture people about goodness knows what.

JUNIOR CITIZEN Wednesday, 05 January 2011 01:25 AM

Sajith can win ,but running the country? He will ruin a nation .inexperienced

Kj Wednesday, 05 January 2011 01:47 AM

maluman -- have you read the news? it says "former" UNP MPs.. means.. they're no longer now and as pasha said, they are rejected reps.. :)

Yehiya-Doha Wednesday, 05 January 2011 02:05 AM

Ranil never stepdown.

Game Kolla Wednesday, 05 January 2011 02:19 AM

If Sajith become party leader HE will be like another Premadasa playing for .

Leslie Wednesday, 05 January 2011 06:04 AM

Why is everyone yelling for Ranil's blood. Sure, he has his share of blame for the UNP's poor showing at present, but what were the others doing, they too should accept the blame. More so, the contender for leadership - Sajith. He was not in the campaign trail during the elections, but he wants to lead the Party now. He is not a suitable alternative, even if Ranil were to step down. Since there are no other contenders let Ranil remain. Put your trust and faith in him, he will lead the Party to victory.

julian Wednesday, 05 January 2011 07:44 AM

I think Ranil should give a chance to Mr.Sajith,and see what changes he would make which ranil had failed to make.

mohamed Wednesday, 05 January 2011 08:28 AM

chandrika left we won the war,if sanath leave will win the world cup and if ranil leave unp will win

Vince Wednesday, 05 January 2011 11:19 AM

So how come general also was defeated by Mahinda????

JUNIOR CITIZEN Wednesday, 05 January 2011 03:44 PM

Dear Mohomed, you sound silly.

Sena Wednesday, 05 January 2011 04:40 PM

Sajith lacks the much required experience and political maturity

Acord Friday, 07 January 2011 09:58 PM

Mr.Mohamed,,

We won da war..hero became zero..0 became heroes..but we are begging for our life now....u may be rich wat bat the others

farhan Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:18 AM

Ranil still great leader and he have good ideas to develop the country some people are noise only for there own benifit thats all...

Fayad Tuesday, 04 January 2011 10:28 AM

Only Way Forward !!!!!!!

Haafi Tuesday, 04 January 2011 10:43 AM

Yes, Mr. Ranil, Please think of the country and the party first. Leave way for Sajith to take over the leadership without splitting the party before the LG polls. Don't delay making the decision anymore. You will earn the respect of the party supporters for doing this. Be brave enough to do this now.

Maidan Tuesday, 04 January 2011 10:46 AM

All r in power hunger. Ranil prove that u are a gentleman and quit respectively.

rosh Tuesday, 04 January 2011 10:49 AM

yeah to the backward direction

musthafa Tuesday, 04 January 2011 10:56 AM

tooooooooooooooooo late.

malkanthi Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:03 AM

Ranil could serve as a consultant, considering his knowledge, experience, diplomacy. UNP needs a new leader and only Sajith fits into this post.

anjeewa Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:07 AM

Dear Mr.Ranil!
Sir can U give me one acceptable reason to hang on to UNP leadership???? You have spent 16 wonderful years as Opp. leader enjoying all the benefits (2 years as PM) But your time is over....over....over...!

maluman Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:11 AM

how could they have been rejected by the people if they became MPs?

Paul Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:16 AM

The claim that Ranil should step down may be acceptable for a few valid reasons,but filling that slot with Sajith is not however totally right.Ranil and Sajith still are polls apart in Sri Lankan politics.While Ranil is a world acclaimed leader with a lot of clout and experience,Sajith is just a tiny toty in comparison with Ranil.One cannot measure Sajith's strength and popularity just by the cheers and applause of the UNP supporters at the recent party convention.Most UNPers feel that we need both to strengthen the unity of the party So the present leaders of the party should think in that line and find a solution accordingly.Discarding Ranil right away without much thinking is absolutely stupid and really detrimental to the future of the UNP.and it should not be allowed to happen.One wise step would be to appoint an interim leader and continue talks till the party reaches a viable and practical solution.

Sujith Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:14 AM

No men they stepped down to make the path for youngsters, Ranil also should do that.

Ramesh Perera Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:16 AM

Pasha,
they were rejected due to Ranil's policies.

pasha Tuesday, 04 January 2011 10:27 AM

these former mps were rejected by people in election. now they make noise

Cobra Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:33 AM

Nothing short of a bolt of lightning will make Ranil step down. Besides he has the President's blessing to get into the Guiness book of records as the longest serving Opposition Leader!!!!

MagodisThuma Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:31 AM

Wela yana peththata messa gahathi !

MagodisThuma Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:36 AM

Playing violin to the Deaf Elephant !

paul 2 Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:50 AM

Paul,well said, i do-not know, why people's can not understand your points.

Konde bendapu china Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:55 AM

these are all got fired by RW,so they got reasonable reason to be like this

kenny fernando Tuesday, 04 January 2011 12:15 PM

Former MPs lost in the first place because people thought they weren't worthy enough to win.

Vince Tuesday, 04 January 2011 12:23 PM

Sajith cannot win Hambantota from Rajapaksa, how he is going to defeat MR in national election

Razor Blade Tuesday, 04 January 2011 12:39 PM

Ranil must joined the government and take a minister post, if they accept.

Royalist Tuesday, 04 January 2011 12:44 PM

How could he step down anymore? He is already at the bottom!

Labby Tuesday, 04 January 2011 01:12 PM

Wise comment by Paul. The trouble with most Sri Lankans is they cannot see beyond their nose. How gullible could some people be.

I Hussein Tuesday, 04 January 2011 01:11 PM

Where are you from Vince?
Sajith beat MR twice.
'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink'!
You guys are like that.

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Ranil should step down-Fmr. MPs

Comments - 49

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