UNP reforms to reveal second tier leadership

• Second tier leadership to be identified and groomed
• Working committee reviews three committee reports 
• on party reformsChanges to new electoral system expected

By Skandha Gunasekara

The proposed UNP party reforms will see a second tier leadership identified by the party to be groomed for the future, UNP Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra said yesterday.

“It was agreed at the Working Committee meeting that during the restructuring process, a second tier leadership would be identified so as to provide the party with a strong leadership in the future,” MP Premachandra said, addressing a media briefing at the party headquarters last morning.

Premachandra said that at present there was no clear second level leadership and that UNP constituents needed to be assured of a strong future for the party when the current leadership steps down.

“As it stands we do not know who is take over if our current leader were to step down. The UNP constituents do not know,” she said.UNP MP Kavinda Tennakoon who also took part in the press conference said that three committees – one headed by Minister Sajith Premadasa, the second by Minister Ruwan Wijewardene and the J.C. Alawathura committee – had compiled separate reports on party reforms.

“The Working Committee will review these three reports and bring about sweeping changes in the party by the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. These changes will definitely happen,” MP Jayawardana said.

He then went on to say that the Prime Minister had agreed that the new electoral system needed amending.

“I think all parties are in agreement that the Provincial Council elections will be held under the old system. Even the SLPP which got the biggest advantage through this new system has called for it to be changed. We spoke with the Prime Minister and even he agreed that the new electoral system needed to be amended.”

When questioned about reports of a meeting between President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday evening, MP Jayawardana responded that he was uncertain about the veracity of the reports but expected the President to support the Prime Minister and the Government.

“I too heard rumours but haven’t been officially told of such a meeting. However, we know that the President wants to safeguard the Government. Even if the SLFP supporters abandon the President, we will stand by him. We helped him get elected. He is one of us.”