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UNP to hold its convention today
Colombo, September 20 (Daily Mirror) - The United National Party (UNP) convention will be held today with the participation of a few other political parties, which are expected to express their well wishes.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), which has received an official invitation, will be represented by its General Secretary, Ranjith Madduma Bandara. In addition, the SJB’S ally, the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), will also attend, with party leader Mano Ganesan confirming that he and several senior members will be present.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam confirmed his party’s participation as well, stating their presence is a gesture of goodwill. “We don’t intend to form an electoral alliance with the UNP, but we are prepared to work with other opposition parties to counter threats to Sri Lanka’s democracy,” Kariyawasam told the Daily Mirror. “We will express our good wishes to UNP,” he added.
UNP leader and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to deliver his first public address following his recent arrest and subsequent release on bail. According to party sources, his speech will focus on several key issues currently dominating the national political discourse. The theme of the convention this year is ‘Let us unite as one’. This is perhaps because of the line of thinking that all opposition parties should UNP leader and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to deliver his first public address following his recent arrest and subsequent release on bail unite to confront the alleged suppression of democracy by the current government after so many opposition politicians were arrested and jailed.
Senior UNP figures, including Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala,Chairman Wajira Abeywardena, and National Organiser Sagala Ratnayake are also expected to attend the convention.
UNP was formed in 1946, before Sri Lanka gained independence from the British. It has governed the country for 38 years. The party has suffered electoral setbacks in 1956, 1960, 1970 and perhaps suffered its worst setback in the 2020 election when it ended up with just a solitary national list seat. The name UNP and its elephant symbol were missing in the ballot papers of the 2024 General Election, as the party contested under the gas cylinder symbol together with a few members of other parties. This year’s conventions being held at a time when the UNP has lost its status as a major political party in the country.
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