The leadership of the United National party (UNP) must be changed according to the tradition, former UNP Provincial Council representatives point out.
At a press conference held at the party headquarters Sirikotha yesterday, the former provincial councilors emphasized that there is no tradition of changing party leadership at the whim of some members and the leadership should be changed unanimously at the right time.
Former UNP member of Southern Provincial Council and Balapitiya organizer, Ashoka Dhanawansa speaking on the occasion said since DS Senanayake, all the former leaders of the party had faced internal conflicts and the current leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has the same challenge at present.
“However, there is a way of appointing the party leadership. There is a tradition. This tradition needs to be protected,” Danawansa said.
Former UNP Southern Provincial Councilor Gayan Sanjeewa said some UNP parliamentarians say they hope to break up the UNP and form another party. “However, it is worth mentioning that those are few MPs who are not interested in the UNP and who cannot go to their constituents in their seats in the future. They want to take up a popular topic and protect their parliamentary seat,” said Gayan Sanjeewa.
