Decisive days ahead for UNP

2 August 2011 08:54 pm Views - 4628

By Kelum Bandara

In the backdrop of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe returning to the country last evening, decisive days are ahead for the main opposition UNP with the reformists led by co-deputy leader Sajith Premadasa scheduling a crucial meeting today to discuss their course of action in the renewed struggle for a change in the party leadership.

The reformists are also to meet deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya whom they now promote as the next leader, on his return to the country on Thursday from India.

Key reformist group member Ranjith Madduma Bandara said some members who remained loyal to the present leadership had expressed their solidarity with the reformists. However, he said such members were yet to come up openly against the present leadership.

 “They will come at the right time,” he said.

Asked about attempts by the party hierarchy to take disciplinary action against some of the reformists, he said, in such an eventuality, the reformists would conduct protest rallies all over the country against it.

“We will mobilize public support against the party hierarchy,” he said. UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said there were some members who were not either with leader Ranil Wickremesinghe or Mr. Premadasa, and he would team up with them in the struggle to bring about new changes in the party.

 “There are moderate members. We will seek their support,” he said.