UNP Reforms Committee:

Appointment of Advisory Council recommended

Suraj A. Bandara

The United National Party Reforms Committee has recommended the appointment of an Advisory Council comprises the Party Leader, the Deputy Leader, Assistant Leader, National Organizer and Chairman to make all other appointments in the party including all electoral organizers.

The five member Advisory Council appointed through a secret ballot will be the decision maker of the party in the future. The party leader has the power of appointing the General Secretary and the Treasurer. But still no conclusion had reached on appointing the Treasurer as the leader’s nominee.

The final report had recommended that the party leadership be elected by the Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group.

Accordingly, a secret ballot will be adopted only if the leadership appears to be weak. The Party Leader’s power has been delineated and will be responsible for winning the confidence of his party men.

Otherwise, party would take steps to remove him from the post through a transparent and democratic manner.

The number of the working committee had been reduced up to 89.

At least one MP will represent each district while other members will be elected through a consensus. The Constitution of working committee will be crucial in taking decisions in the party in the future.

It is learnt that the party leader had requested the appointment of the General Secretary and the Treasurer at his discretion. But the Committee had agreed only to appoint the General Secretary as his nominee and the Treasurer through the ballot.

Meanwhile, a prominent UNP Colombo District MP expressed his reservation about the recommendation and called the report an eyewash.

All these reforms will enable the party to handle its political activities after the General Convention.

The Chairman of the Reforms Committee MP Joseph Michael Perera told the Daily News though final report was handed over to Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe the ratification of the reforms would be followed at the July Special Convention. “The convention is scheduled to be held on August 7,” he said.