‘No move by Ranil to give up leadership’
Despite announcements by the Sajith Premadasa faction of the UNP of
Karu Jayasuriya being pushed to lead the party and Jayasuriya reportedly
responding positively, UNP leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe in a statement
only directed Jayasuriya to unite the party and had not hinted of any
move to give up leadership, sources close to Wickremesinghe disclosed.
They said Wickremesinghe has viewed the Premadasa faction proposal in
two ways and has reportedly agreed to direct Jayasuriya to unite the
party. However, Wickremesinghe now overseas has stressed that he was
elected as the leader unanimously by the Working and Executive Committee
recently.
Wickremesinghe has also stressed that the unity of the party was
paramount before thinking to change the leadership, a matter that had to
be discussed at Executive and Working Committee level to reach a
consensus. Meanwhile, the Premadasa faction insists that Wickremesinghe
quits as leader to pave the way for Jayasuriya to lead and unite the
party.
Courtesy: Lankapuvath
|