In a new development with regard to the future of the United National Party (UNP) its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the members of the United Bikkhu Front that he was ready to take any step for the betterment of the party.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said in a statement that he had already informed the Bikkhus including Venerable Girambe Ananda Thera that he was ready to meet them for a discussion within the next few days.

Informed sources said plans were afoot to organise such a meeting where the Venerable Ananda Thera was also expected to participate.

This development comes in the wake of reports that a discussion of UNP seniors would be held at Dhammakithyarama Kollupitiya (Polwatte Temple) later this week. Though it was speculated that Venerable Maduluwawe Sobith Thera was to act as a facilitator the Venerable Thera told Daily Mirror that he would not play a role in it and no one had asked him to do so, to date.

UNP MP Sajith Premadasa also said he had no knowledge of an impending meeting in the Polwatte Temple.

Meanwhile UNP seniors and other groups within the party had called for immediate reforms in the party.

UNP Colombo District MP Ravi Karunanayake called for radical changes in the party with immediate effect. He made this point while addressing the party supporters at his Colombo North party office. Mr. Karunanayake stressed that the correct decisions should be made at the right time in order to convert the UNP into a people-friendly political party.

In another development several trade union leaders attached to the UNP also called for immediate changes in the party at a news conference held in Colombo today. (Yohan Perera)