No iota of democracy in UNP - SB

Chaminda PERERA

Former UNP National Organizer and Central Province Opposition Leader S.B. Dissanayake yesterday said the United National Party does not have an iota of democracy under party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Dissanayake in an interview over Independent Television Network and Rupavahini yesterday said UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has deprived the party of all democratic norms.

The UNP is a party which was based on true values of democracy but the present party leader is an oppressor who does not give an ear to opinions of senior UNPers.

We opposed Ranil Wickremesinghe's idea of bringing an outsider to the presidential election fray.

Dissanayake said he was among the three members of the UNP Central Committee who insisted to bring a candidate from the UNP. But Wickremesinghe's position remained unchanged.

Dissanayake said a military leader cannot bring a solution to the ethnic issue nor any other issue of the country. An amicable settlement could only be achieved by a mature politician in the calibre of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.