Sajith walks out of UNP WC meeting

11 February 2020 01:01 am - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The UNP working committee meeting yesterday ended in a stalemate following the issue on the symbol of the alliance led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to contest the next general election.

Mr. Premadasa and few others had walked out of the working committee meeting protesting against the proposal made by some members that the elephant should be the symbol under which the alliance should contest the election. It was reported that some suggested the ‘heart’ as the symbol of the alliance.

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said the majority of the members were of the opinion that elephant should be the symbol of the party. However he said it was decided to refer the matter to an advisory committee which was appointed on an earlier date and then make the final decision on Friday February 14 2020.

“Many were of the opinion that the elephant should be the symbol while party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had also informed the working committee that he had received legal advice that the alliance should not contest under a new symbol. The Party leader informed that the UNP legal wing had advised him that the party constitution does not provide provision to contest under a new symbol other than the elephant. However the final decision will be made by Friday,” Mr. Kariyawasam said.

MP Harsha De Silva who is also the UNP Treasurer told journalists that he himself and others including Mr. Premadasa were dejected as an opportunity to finalize matters pertaining to the alliance was lost yesterday. “ Mr. Premadasa who was dejected informed party leader Wickremesinghe that there was no point in appointing him as the leader of Opposition, the leader of the alliance if he was not given any power,” Dr De Silva said. He confirmed the reports that Mr. Premadasa left the working committee meeting “ Sajith Premadasa left the official UNP working committee meeting after telling party leader Wickremesinghe to lead the party at the next general election unless he is willing to let him actually lead the alliance without trying to buckle it,” Dr. de Silva said in his twitter message.

However it was revealed that the working committee approved MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the General Secretary of the new alliance while Mr. Premadasa would be the leader. Mr. Madduma Bandara himself confirmed this when he spoke to the media after the working committee meeting. “We will settle all matters within the next few days,” he said while highlighting that 90 percent of the UNF alliance symbol issue mired in stalemate issues pertaining to the alliance had already been resolved.(Yohan Perera)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 10

Metta Tuesday, 11 February 2020 07:14 AM

Stupid idiots please do leave politics and go Forever

Seyed Niyaz Abdeen Tuesday, 11 February 2020 07:17 AM

If Ranil is a bad leader Sajith too can wear the same mantle. For several years I was expecting Sajith to break away and form his own party and I was disappointed that he didn't. Now it is costing him his own position in the party. Ranil will take the UNP to its grave along with Sajith as Ranil hates Sajith for reasons only best known to him. Ranil Sajith is bad chemistry and has hurt Sajith more that it has to Ranil. We all know that Ranil is still carrying on working against Sajith and the UNP crown is firmly nailed to Ranil's skull. It is extremely unlikely that Sajith will have the opportunity of ever wearing it in the foreseeable future. Sajith, as we all know, is a hard working politician but, sadly, is not a smart politician.

Sambo Tuesday, 11 February 2020 07:43 AM

The people are sick and tired of the elephant and RW for the past 26 years or so. Very good keep on postponing your final decision until and after the general election.

Max Tuesday, 11 February 2020 08:05 AM

Never ending conflicts.. How these guys going to drive the country to success even if they cannot come to a general concensious among them?

Neomy Deen Tuesday, 11 February 2020 08:12 AM

UNP is a party by itself. If there are other parties that want to form an alliance, it is only fair that they contest under a common symbol approved by all parties concerned, unless, UNP is contesting alone; the point is valid.

Jude Tuesday, 11 February 2020 08:27 AM

Beginning of the end of GOP !!!

Jude Tuesday, 11 February 2020 08:40 AM

When will Ranil realize it's time to move on and pass the mantle to SAJITH P.!!!??????

Nadi Karunaratne Tuesday, 11 February 2020 08:50 AM

Time for Sajith and the UNP to part company with the autistic one who insists on doing Mahinda's bidding. Ditch the enemy within.

Neil Tuesday, 11 February 2020 09:45 AM

Enough is enough. Sajith should just break away and form a new party. It is a better option to leave behind the corrupt bunch of UNP with Ranil.

june macapagal Tuesday, 11 February 2020 06:45 PM

Yes it is high time that Sajith starts his new party and he will definitely have good backing from the people. let Ranil and his stooges go to hell

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Sajith walks out of UNP WC meeting

Comments - 10

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

Catholic Church receives full report

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win