The 80th anniversary of the United National Party (UNP) falls today (06).
A commemorative programme to mark the occasion is scheduled to be held under the patronage of UNP Leader and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Accordingly, the anniversary celebrations will be held at 9.00 a.m. today at the Sirikotha - United National Party Head Office in Pitakotte, the party said.
The United National Party was founded on September 6, 1946, at the Palm Court Mansion in Colombo.
D.S. Senanayake was elected as the party’s first leader, H. W. Amarasuriya was appointed Secretary. Sir Razik Fareed, a prominent Muslim leader, and J.R. Jayewardene were elected as Co-Treasurers.
The colour green was selected as the party’s official colour, while the elephant, the largest land animal, was chosen as its symbol.
Since its establishment in 1946, the UNP has been led by prominent political figures including D.S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake, John Kotelawala, J.R. Jayewardene and Ranasinghe Premadasa.
Following the death of Ranasinghe Premadasa, Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed the leadership of the party and has continued to serve as its leader to date.
