Harin pushes for quick resolution to Opp. Leader standoff

UNP parliamentarians Harin Fernando and Dr. Harsha De Silva yesterday pushed for a quick resolution of the UNP leadership and Opposition Leader quandary, which has been ongoing for weeks.

The UNP parliamentary group is expected to meet on Thursday to discuss the Opposition Leader issue and other matters.   

Harin Fernando

Dr. Harsha De Silva

“We are confident that our Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and the party seniority will listen to the will of the people and party members, and give Sajith Premadasa the Opposition Leader and Party Leader position,” he stated, pointing out that if the party fails to give what the people and members want, they will have to unwillingly resort to the alternative means discussed before. 

Dr. Harsha De Silva echoed Fernando’s concerns, stating that they still hold on to hope that the party seniors will understand the situation and the political challenges they face, and take the right decision. “Our leadership must understand that we have to move forward, but only with some major changes in the UNP,” he said. 

De Silva claimed that the UNP had been labelled an anti-majority party, which was baseless. However, the party failed to communicate that message effectively, and dislodge such labels in the run-up to the Presidential Elections, he added. “If we are unable to understand the thinking of our constituents, if we are unable to appreciate their thinking, there is no future for a political party,” he opined. 

De Silva and Fernando urged the UNP party seniority to address the leadership of the party and Opposition quickly. “We have faith in our party to take a decision on the party leadership and future direction in the next few days, without waiting till the last moment, like with giving Sajith Premadasa the presidential candidacy,” Fernando stressed.