UNP reformists decline invitation to Convention

Chamikara Weerasinghe

COLOMBO: The UNP Democratic Group has decided not to attend the UNP Convention on March 17 despite a request from the party to participate.

A decision to this effect was taken yesterday at the United National Party Democratic Group’s meeting held at Seth Sevana under the chairmanship of Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs and leader of the group Karu Jayasuriya.

UNP reformist R.A.D. Sirisena said they decided to turn down the request on legal grounds.

“The group decided not to attend the convention since its legal validity was in doubt,” he explained.

“We hold the view that the convention calling for our participation arose out of the previous convention whose legal validity is under the scrutiny of the Courts,” he said.

“The UNP leadership has no right to call for another convention under the circumstances,” Sirisena said.

“Under such circumstances we cannot recognise Tissa Attanayake as the legally appointed General Secretary of the party until a determination is given by the Courts on the validity of the previous convention,” he pointed out.

However the group has decided to send the membership fees under protest in the greater interest of the party.