Akila resigns from UNP Gen. Secretary post

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam resigned from his post yesterday, stating that the party needed new blood to rebuild. 

The former Minister for Education indicated his willingness to step down from his post in the recent past, following the UNP’s landslide defeat at the General Elections held in August. Kariyawasam had offered to step down from before the election as well.  

Speaking to Daily FT, Kariyawasam stated that he had written to party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and informed him of his decision to step down. “I have said this for some time, we need to let new blood into the party, new people, new faces. That is why I am resigning,” Kariyawasam said. 

The UNP’s leadership issue remains unresolved, with Ruwan Wijewardana appointed as Deputy Leader and embattled long-time leader Ranil Wickremesinghe still holding onto his position, in spite of losing his electoral seat and many requests from within the party to step down.