UNP Meets To Adopt Historic Changes To Party Leadership

November 4, 2013 

The United National Party has gathered at its headquarters in Pitakotte for a crucial Working Committee meeting that may see sweeping reform proposals adopted for the creation of a leadership council that will steer the party’s future course.

Ranil

Following a meeting between UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and MPs Karu Jayasuriya and Sajith Premadasa this morning, the Working Committee convened at 4 p.m. to give life to proposals agreed upon by the trio.

The meeting is currently underway at Sirikotha even as thundershowers rain down on Colombo.

Under the proposals, also mooted by Buddhist monks affiliated to the UNP, the Leadership Council will be chaired by Karu Jayasuriya, senior party man and former Deputy Leader of the UNP. The Council will comprise 9 members.

Colombo Telegraph reliably learns that Premadasa may not agree to be a member of the new Council. Following a meeting between Premadasa, Jayasuriya and members of the United Bhikku Front in Kurunegala yesterday, the monks put forward three more reform proposals. Premadasa told Wickremesinghe at today’s meeting in the morning that unless the Leader agrees to adopt all 11 proposals now presented by the monks, it would be better for the present status quo to remain.

The all or nothing attitude adopted by Premadasa, party sources said, was indicative of the fact that the young MP would prefer to let Wickremesinghe remain leader if all of his demands were not met.

Premadasa attended the meeting with the priests in Kurunegala yesterday with expelled UNPers Maithri Guneratne and Shiral Lakthilake in tow.

Wickremesinghe is expected to agree to take up the position of Senior Leader as suggested by the monks. He will make a special statement to the Working Committee today, UNP sources said.

Sajith Rejects Seat On UNP Leadership Council

November 4, 2013 |

Sajith Premadasa the main proponent of reforms to the UNP leadership has refused to sit on the proposed Leadership Council, a solution presented by Buddhist monks affiliated to the party, Colombo Telegraph learns.

Sajith Premadasa

Premadasa has informed the Working Committee of his rejection of a seat on the Council during the meeting that is currently underway.

The Council will be headed by UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya and include MPs Kabir Hashim, Mangala Samaraweera, Thalatha Athukorale, Ravi Karunananayake, Lakshman Kiriella, Ruwan Wijewardane and Tissa Attanayake, the Colombo Telegraph learns.

The meeting at Sirikotha continues.

“I Can’t Go Against Buddhist Monks Proposals” – Sajith

November 4, 2013 |

UNP MP Sajith Premadasa who has refused a seat on the newly appointed Leadership Council said he was forced to bow out of the nomination he was given by the Working Committee out of respect for the Buddhist monks.

Premadasa told reporters that the monks had forwarded a 8 point proposal to the UNP leadership and at a special meeting between himself and Karu Jayasuriyain Kurunegala yesterday they had put forward three more points.

Premadasa said the Working Committee had not adopted the three points put forward by the monks at the Sunday meeting in Kurunegala and added that he could not insult the monks by sitting on the Council.

Bhikku Front Calls On Karu To Quit As Council Chairman

November 4, 2013 |

The United Bhikku Front that mooted the UNP Leadership Council has called on its just appointed ChairmanKaru Jayasuriya to quit his post immediately.

Karu Jayasuriya

The UBF said Jayasuriya has broken faith with an agreement reached with Buddhist monks on Sunday at Kurunegala.

UBF National Organiser Ulapane Sumangala Thero said Sajith Premadasa had done the right thing by refusing to accept a position on the Council.

The Thero said UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had hoodwinked the Party and appointed his henchmen to the new Council.