UNP top posts to be decided today
December 19, 2011 10:43 am
The United National Party leadership and several other major posts in the party are to be decided today (Dec. 19). Party leader, deputy leader and national organizer are some of the key posts which will be filled.
UNP loyalists believe that the long-standing leadership crisis within the party will be resolved according to today’s decision.
Ranil Wickramasinghe and Karu Jayasuriya are said to be contesting for the leadership of the party.
Ranil Wickramasinghe, who lost both presidential elections in 1999 and 2005 after contesting, has been criticized due to all election campaigns fronted by him, except the 2001 general election, resulting in defeat.
Karu Jayasuriya, who entered into national politics as the Mayor of Colombo and rose through the ranks to deputy leader, is contesting for the party leadership for the very first time.
I will contest for the leadership in order to unite all parts of the party which has split and divided, Jayasuriya told Ada Derana following the Working Committee meeting held yesterday.
He said that he has been requested from every sector of society including religious leaders to take over the party and that he decided to contest for the post under those requests.
Meanwhile General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake stated that the names of Ravi Karunanayake, Sajith Premadasa, Kasthuri Anuradhanayake and Priyantha Pathberiya have been nominated for the post of Deputy Leader while Dayasiri Jayasekara, Daya Gamage and Suranga Navula have been nominated for National Organizer.
Gamini Jayawickrama and Joseph Michael Perera have been unanimously elected as Chairman and President of the UNP respectively.
An election is being held for the leadership of the UNP after a period of 17 years as the last time an election was held in 1994, when Gamini Dissanayake beat Ranil Wickaramasinghe to claim the top post of the party.
However, following the death of Gamini Dissnayake, Ranil was made leader of the United National Party.
UNP loyalists believe that the long-standing leadership crisis within the party will be resolved according to today’s decision.
Ranil Wickramasinghe and Karu Jayasuriya are said to be contesting for the leadership of the party.
Ranil Wickramasinghe, who lost both presidential elections in 1999 and 2005 after contesting, has been criticized due to all election campaigns fronted by him, except the 2001 general election, resulting in defeat.
Karu Jayasuriya, who entered into national politics as the Mayor of Colombo and rose through the ranks to deputy leader, is contesting for the party leadership for the very first time.
I will contest for the leadership in order to unite all parts of the party which has split and divided, Jayasuriya told Ada Derana following the Working Committee meeting held yesterday.
He said that he has been requested from every sector of society including religious leaders to take over the party and that he decided to contest for the post under those requests.
Meanwhile General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake stated that the names of Ravi Karunanayake, Sajith Premadasa, Kasthuri Anuradhanayake and Priyantha Pathberiya have been nominated for the post of Deputy Leader while Dayasiri Jayasekara, Daya Gamage and Suranga Navula have been nominated for National Organizer.
Gamini Jayawickrama and Joseph Michael Perera have been unanimously elected as Chairman and President of the UNP respectively.
An election is being held for the leadership of the UNP after a period of 17 years as the last time an election was held in 1994, when Gamini Dissanayake beat Ranil Wickaramasinghe to claim the top post of the party.
However, following the death of Gamini Dissnayake, Ranil was made leader of the United National Party.
