2 March 2020 12:05 am
To establish unity within the party
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya should create two joint general secretaries and appoint the existing general secretary of UNP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Samagi Jana Balawegaya General Secretary Ranjit Madduma Bandara to the posts, MP Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.
Mr Wijewardene told a press conference that unity could be established within UNP by creating two joint general secretaries posts.
“It is essential that there is unity within the party to challenge the government in the general election,” he said.
Mr Wijewardene said the issue with regard to the symbol is a legal matter as if a party lends a symbol for the general election it will go into the pool of symbols which the commission of elections holds for five years. “Any other party could claim the symbol within that period. If that happens even UNP could lose the elephant symbol in the event it lends it to Samagi Jana Balawegaya,” the MP added.
Accordingly, he said there is an option of having two joint general secretaries for the UNP so that both could have a say in party matters.
MP Ashu Marasinghe who also participated at the press conference said some have come out with false accusations that those who want to contest the election under the elephant symbol are the ones who have undertaken a contract from the government to destroy the UNP. “We wonder whether those who accuse us of trying to divide the party are carrying out a contract from the government,” Professor Marasinghe said.