UNP crisis:

Reform proposals to be ratified at Party Convention

Suraj A. Bandara

The proposals contained in the final report of the Reforms Committee will be implemented after being ratified at the party’s special convention in July, UNP Media Spokesman Gayantha Karunatilleke said.

Though the final report was to be presented to the Working Committee last Monday, it was put off due to certain amendments that were to be introduced. “However, the final report will be issued Friday and proposals are likely to be taken into consideration Monday”.

Many changes are in the offing to structure the party, he said.

The UNP working committee members and Parliamentary group will discuss the proposals in detail and let others know of the changes. Though certain media published a report that the UNP is going to introduce a voting system for its portfolios, there is still no conclusion in this regard, he said.

“Everything will be conducted in a transparent manner and democracy will be the key element. The final report will disclose whether the party leadership needs to be changed or the party constitution should be changed. We haven’t come to a decision yet,” Karunatilleke said.

”We accept that there should be certain changes in the party to make it people-oriented. We need to be able to address the grassroots level. After the July special convention we hope to accelerate party reforms so that we would be able to reach out to the common man. All these changes are to pave the way for the formation of a UNP Government in the future,” Karunatilleke said.

The reforms committee is led by senior UNPer Joseph Michael Perera and he will be backed by six senior UNP MPs. Whatever recommendations introduced by the report will be the manifesto of the party. All party members including all UNP Parliamentarians will participate in this special July Convention. Anybody can propose anything for the progress of the party and their suggestions will also be taken into consideration at this special convention, he said.

Karunatilleke said they will work closely with the JVP in and outside Parliament till the Government acts according to the people’s mandate.

“We will get together with them when the government acts undemocratically. The Government should protect democracy,” he said.