Talks to end misunderstandings between UNP factions

Negotiations are on to end the misunderstanding between the two groups in the UNP and to contest the general elections in uniformity, informed sources said yesterday.

Sources told the Daily Mirror that former MP Malik Samarawickrama is negotiating with both sides to try and end the dispute. It was reported that Mr. Samarawickrama had spoken to both Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mr. Premadasa.

A former UNP MP who did not wish to be named told the Daily Mirror that there is a move to reach a settlement. He confirmed that Mr. Samarawickrama is trying to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile former MP Sujeewa Senasinghe said the National Democratic Front which owns the swan symbol had now shown some flexibility and reversed its earlier stand to retain the general secretary’s post and had said they will be satisfied with an assistant general secretary’s post. ‘ We will get on with our work in Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Other sources said moves are under way to change the constitution of the SJB as well. The UNP earlier said the constitution of the SJB which is similar to Ape Jathika Peramuna which owns telephone symbol under which the alliance wanted to contest does not permit any outsider to come and contest. Therefore the UNP was of the opinion that if UNPers relinquish the elephant symbol and contest under the elephant symbol it would lose it together with the membership of UNP. Mr. Premadasa’s group had already said it could be amended. (Yohan Perera)