Karu to only unite party?

Despite moves by top UNP members to appoint Co-Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya to the top position there are strong indications that current leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is not ready to step down.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake has been quoted in the media saying that it would not be possible for replace the leadership unless it was done according to the party constitution. Despite the moves of a group of reformists backed by Co-Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa to promote Jayasuriya as the party leader and him agreeing to this proposals there is no indication that Wickremesinghe will step down.

Releasing a statement yesterday Wickremesinghe noted that Jayasuriya will be allowed to “unite” the party but stopped short of saying whether he will step down from the leadership position. A special communiqué was issued after he met central committee members of the UNP UK branch in London on Friday.

Meanwhile UNP Badulla District MP Harin Fernando told a press conference that Wickremesinghe would discuss with Jayasuriya on what measures could be taken to unite the party once he returns from the UK.

He reiterated the importance of all party members working together and called on them to discuss their problems within the party rather than airing them before the media. He also called for the party to use the knowledge of Wickremesinghe.

In a related development Jayasuriya left for India on a four day visit on Friday.