UNP postpones alliance formation

• National Democratic Front was to be formed today
• Disagreements on its constitution prompt plans to be put on hold 
• Alliance parties request more time to consider amendments to constitution 
• UNP likely to decide on presidential candidate before signing alliance 
• Captain Cool says UNP cannot win election unless it forms alliance 

By Chathuri Dissanayake 

Faced with contrary views from within its membership, the United National Party (UNP) yesterday postponed the launch of its new alliance that was earlier scheduled to be held today, sources close to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe confirmed. 

The decision was taken following discussions with party seniors following representations made to the party leader by “intermediaries”, following the working committee meeting held last week, the source told Daily FT. 

The parties involved in forming the new Democratic National Front also needed time to consider the amendments on the proposed Constitution, which were put forward by some members of the UNP working committee when the draft was presented to them during last week’s meeting. 

“The parties have their take on the amendments as well and it needs to be negotiated,” the source told Daily FT. 

However some of the UNP members who were promoting the new alliance are unhappy with the turn of events, it is learnt. 

Minister Arjuna Ranatunga speaking to media, openly challenged the UNP to try running for the upcoming elections as a single party without alliances, noting that those who propose such a move should also take responsibility for the defeat as well. 

“Even in 2015, when all of us, including Madam Chandrika, Duminda, Champika and I stepped out and worked to change the Government at that time, we could only win by a thin margin...I state very responsibly, if the UNP runs as a Front with other parties then they can win the election. I state responsibly that if they think they can win without any of the parties in the alliance, then they are really misguided. If they want to do that, those leaders should take the responsibility and answer to the UNP members when they lose,” the Minister told journalists on the sidelines of a function held in Attanagalle. 

The Minister also said that the UNP should solve their party matters internally, noting that the proposed front has been in the works for the last two and half years with majority of UNP leaders, Sajith Premadasa, Ravi Karunanayake, Kabir Hashim and Malik Samarawickrama present at the discussions. 

The Minister, critical of the party’s approach, said that the “UNP always gets agitated closer to an election.”

“If the UNP thinks they can win running on their own, we’ll let them run alone, I personally believe if they want to do so, we should do so,” he said. 

However, UNP working committee member Dr. Harsha De Silva, who strongly opposed the signing of the agreement in a rush, welcomed the news about postponement. 

“I am hearing that the @officialunp leadership has agreed with us; that the event has been postponed. If true, that is great news. We are 100% for the alliance, but let’s not rush in to it. Let’s get it right. Best to build alliance w UNP candidate approved hopefully unanimously.” the Non-Cabinet Minister said in a twitter message.