The tussle between the two factions of the United National Party is continuing into the new coalition that is to be formed with several other parties to contest the upcoming general election.
The new coalition will be led by the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa while former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe remains as the leader of the UNP.
Meanwhile, the UNP parliamentary group, which met today at the parliamentary complex, has approved the appointment of Moneragala District MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the general Secretary of the new coalition led by the UNP.
Former UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake says that the name of Ranjith Madduma Bandara has been proposed in accordance with the powers vested on Sajith Premadasa as the leader of the coalition.
However, MP Ajith Mannapperuma has said that although the parliamentary group approved Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the general secretary, the appointment should also be approved by the working committee.
“As the leader of the alliance, Sajith Premadasa has the discretion to appoint the General Secretary. Accordingly he has appointed Ranjith Madduma Bandara, who is a senior Member of Parliament. There are no consensus on approval by the Working Committee as four members of the Committee have been removed,” Attanayake has said.
Attanayake said discussions will be held on reappointing the four members to the Working Committee. “Based on the agreement to reappoint them to the Working Committee, we will decide whether to go to the Working Committee,” he added.
Meanwhile, MP Ashok Abeysinghe said there is no dispute about the leadership of the UNP.
“There is no question of UNP leadership. Ranil Wickremesinghe can keep it until he dies. We will contest the next election from the alliance. Sajith Premadasa is the leader of the UNP led alliance. Ranjith Madduma Bandara has been appointed as the Secretary. The next nominations will be signed by Ranjith Madduma Bandara,” said MP Abeysinghe.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
