COLOMBO – Former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has agreed to step down from the leadership of the United National Party (UNP), following his humiliating defeat at last Wednesday’s (5) parliamentary polls.
Confirming Wickremesinghe’s decision, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told reporters on Monday (10), that a search for a successor has commenced and that the names of four people “have been mentioned”. He identified the four people as, himself Ravi Karunanayake, Vajira Abeygunewardene and Daya Gamage.
Kariyawasam said party leaders during a meeting on Friday (7) had discussed the way forward and decided to meet on Monday to take a final decision. At the meeting, Wickremesinghe had announced he was stepping down and that a successor should be found.
Kariyawasam said all the decisions would have to be ratified by the party Working Committee.
However, Navin Dissanayake, one of the senior leaders told reporters a new leader is being sought, but said he would accept the leadership unless there is a consensus about him.
The UNP split shortly before the general election over dissension about Wickremesinghe’s leadership.
The breakaway party of the UNP, the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) led by Sajith Premadasa emerged as the biggest opposition party in the country and the parent body was humiliated by the electorate as it did not win a single seat in Parliament.
The Grand Old Party only won a single seat on the National List.
-ENCL/economynext.com