UNP celebrates 74th anniversary

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday celebrated the 74th anniversary of the party in a charm event by holding religious observations at Sirikotha, the party headquarters. 

The function was attended by embattled party leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, former parliamentarians Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Ruwan Wijewardene, Arjuna Ranathunge, Daya Gamage, John Amaratunga, Navin Dissanayake and Vajira Abeywardena. 

Wickremesinghe and party faithful also garlanded the statues of past UNP leaders. 

Of the senior UNP members who were present at Sirikotha yesterday, John Amaratunga has expressed interest in taking over the leadership of the party held by Wickremesinghe for close to 30 years. Senior UNP member and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya who also notified of his interest in becoming the leader was absent at the function. 

Media reports that the UNP has finalised who will represent the party via the National List seat was rejected by party member Prof. Ashu Marasinghe. 

“Members have made proposals, but no final decision has been made yet,” Marasinghe told the Daily FT.

The UNP was to hold a Working Committee meeting last week to discuss the issue of leadership change. However, the meeting has been postponed to this week due to Wickremesinghe having to front the Presidential Commission probing the Easter Sunday bombings.

The UNP’s leadership battle has been ongoing from the lead up to the Presidential Elections of 2019 and is viewed by political commentators as one of the main reasons for the monumental failure the party suffered at the General Elections last month.  (AF)