UNP WC majority wants elephant

• final decision not taken 
• UNP to sign a pact with SJB
• Swan, telephone symbols ruled out 

By Yohan Perera  

UNP working committee meeting ended without a final decision with majority wanting to contest the general election under the elephant symbol with Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa demanding MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the General Secretary of the party if the party and the alliance is to go with elephant.   

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said the majority decided to contest under the elephant. “Majority of the working committee members wanted to contest under the elephant symbol,” he said.   

Several other MPs said three symbols were considered with party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and others wanting the elephant symbol and MP Kabir Hashim proposing that UNP and the alliance should contest under the telephone symbol. Swan symbol also have been considered.   

MP Lakshman Kiriella said UNP will sign an agreement with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. “We are not against the alliance and that is why it was proposed that UNP will sign a pact with it,” he said.   

MP Sujeewa Senasinghe said the alliance will go ahead with the launch today even without a symbol. “We will have the launch today even without a symbol. Anyone can participate in it,” he said.   

We will have the launch today even without a symbol. Anyone can participate in it