‘Certain UNP stalwarts antagonising supporters’

Asela Kuruluwansa

Underhand tactics adopted by certain UNP stalwarts in the Kandy District to further their personal ambitions at the expense of the party has antagonised a large number of grassroots UNP supporters in the area.

Party supporters allege that these stalwarts are trying to subdue emerging new district leaders who might pose a threat to them by planting outsiders without a political base or following as new electoral organisers.

They say the continuous side-lining of Mrs. Shanthini Kongahage who had been a Provincial Council member for a long period is a case in point.

Mrs. Kongahage has requested the party to appoint her as Chief Organiser for the Galagedera electorate but the party has been silent about her application. They say there are moves to appoint Parliamentarian Mrs. Renuka Herath as the Galagedera organiser instead of Mrs. Kongahage.

Meanwhile, party stalwart Parliamentarian A.R.M. Abdul Cader is alleged to have opposed party moves to appoint Gampola UC Chairman Gamini Hettiarachchi as the UNP Organiser for Nawalapitiya.