United National Party (UNP) MP Ruwan Wijewardene said today he had decided to resign from his post of UNP National Youth Front (NYF) Chairman to make way for Harin Fernando.
He said Mr. Fernando had sacrificed his parliamentary membership for the UNP to contest the elections for the Uva Provincial Council.
“He has proved that positions are of no value when it comes to the wellbeing of the party. Therefore, I made this decision to resign as Chairman of the NYF and give to Harin the praise he deserves. No matter what the government says, the UNP is the real winner at the elections and Harin’s sacrifice is the main reason for the victory,” Mr. Wijewardene told a news conference.
He said he would convey his decision to the Party National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya and said it would be taken up at the Working Committee meeting to be held yesterday or at its next meeting.
Mr. Wijewardene said there was no need to cling to positions and that he had neither asked for any posts. “I am a descendent of a generation of great politicians and I’m ready to sacrifice anything for the party,” he said and added that he hoped Mr. Fernando, who is currently NYF National Organiser would accept the proposal.
Mr. Wijewardene said Mr. Fernando even deserved to be a member of the Leadership Council.
He said the NYF had already made arrangements to strengthen the countrywide youth community and providing them with opportunities to develop themselves.
“Parliamentarians like Tissa Attanayake and Akila Viraj Kariyawasam are the fruitful products of the NYF,” Mr. Wijewardene said.
Commenting on the new appointments in the UNP, he said Sajith Premadasa’s appointment as Deputy Leader of the party was a huge investment.
“The party will carry out several reforms so as to bring about party unity. I’m sure we will all be able to overcome our differences and resolve our concerns. Some may have been upset over the new appointments but these matters can be sorted out and what finally matters is to do the best for the party,” he said.
Mr. Wijewardene said the party had taken a new turn today with the upswing at the UVA elections and it was ready to win any upcoming election.
Meanwhile UNP MP Eran Wickremeratne said the sacrifices made by Mr. Wijewardene and Mr. Fernando had set up a new culture in the party and proving that a person does not need posts to do politics.
“Ruwan and Harin have showed that party comes first and not positions,” he said adding that Mr. Wijewardene could not be separated from politics or the UNP because he comes from eminent political families -- D.S. Senanayke and D.R. Wijewardene.
UNP MP Ajith P. Perera said Mr. Wijewardene’s decision came as a surprise but had set a good example to be emulated.
(Lahiru Pothmulla and Chaturanga Pradeep)
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