UNP appoints new office bearers

Rashomi SILVA

COLOMBO: The United National Party (UNP) yesterday announced new office bearers to the party high command with the post of Deputy leader still remaining vacant.

"Under the proposed reforms the party leadership has entrusted new roles and responsibilities for different party seniors," party spokesman Gayantha Karunatilake said in Colombo.

Karunatilake who is also a Galle district Parliamentarian said it was agreed that the proposed reforms would be implemented within the next 100 days and Tuesday's executive committee meeting had the full participation of the membership.

As a part of new reforms Badulla district legislator Lakshman Seneviratne was appointed as the Assistant Deputy leader while Gamini Jayawickrama Perera was appointed as the senior vice chairman, Karunatilake said.

Parliament Members P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Abdul Cader and Amara Piyaseelee Ratnayake were appointed as party vice chairpersons, he said.

Sajith Premadasa, Jayalath Jayawardane, Bandula Gunawardane, Renuka Herath and Srilal de Mel were announced as Assistant Secretaries. Ravindra Samaraweera, Johnston Fernando and Ranjith Madduma Bandara were announced as Trade Union coordinators.

Ravi Karunanayake was named as Secretary for Foreign Relations and Mano Wijerathna as the Secretary coordinating Parliamentary Affairs.

He said the next party executive committees will also discuss reform proposals from different quarters, including those of former Parliamentarian S.B. Dissanayake and grassroots level members.