UNP to pay floral tributes to leaders across spectrum at convention this year

By Kelum Bandara   

In a clear departure from past traditions, the United National Party (UNP) will pay floral tributes to all the past leaders of Sri Lanka including those from outside the party at its convention scheduled for September 6, an official said.  
A UNP senior said that, in addition to the past leaders of the party, even leaders from rival parties would also receive floral tributes on that day in a symbolic gesture.   
Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) founder leader S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, former Prime Minister the late Sirimavo Bandaranaike, and leaders such as D.A. Rajapaksa and N.M. Perera are among the past Sri Lankan leaders to be honoured at the UNP convention.   

The UNP has also decided to invite leaders of other parties to the convention.   
The party has extended invitations to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa .   
Former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena have also been invited.