29 July 2020 12:00 am
Among those expelled are Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Sujeewa Senasinghe, Ajith P. Perera, Ranjan Ramanayake, Sarath Fonseka and Nalin Bandara
By Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera
Flexing its muscle further the United National Party expelled 54 Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members including former MPs and 61 local government members, a party source said.
Among those expelled are Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Sujeewa Senasinghe, Ajith P. Perera, Ranjan Ramanayake, Sarath Fonseka and Nalin Bandara.
The list of the expelled members is to be published tomorrow after the Election Commission has been formally notified about the expulsion. It is learned that SJB leader Sajith Premadasa will also be among those expelled and to be notified later.
The UNP has decided to expel members who violated the party constitution in three phases. The source said these 54 members were dismissed from the party for obtaining nomination from SJB in violation of the party constitution.
Among the local government members are Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Rehan Wijewickrama, Nawalapitiya Urban Council Chairman Sasanka Sampath and Gampola Urban Council Chairman Samantha Aruna Kumara.
The source said the decision was taken by the UNP Working Committee which met yesterday. Sources said the party would delay action against a few other members since negotiations are underway to accommodate them once again. “Some have expressed their willingness to rejoin the UNP. We are having with them. So, action will be delayed until a final decision is reached,” the source said. Another set of members will be sacked from the party on Friday.
The local councillors will lose council membership
By Yohan Perera
UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told a news conference that the 61 local government members will lose their membership in the local bodies.
“We will inform the Elections Commission about our decision,” he said adding that another 200 members from the local bodies will be removed and replaced with new members.