Former UNP MPs expelled to safeguard party legacy: Ranil

By Yohan Perera   

Former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said he had to make a difficult decision to expel 54 former MPs who are contesting the general election under Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and others from his party to safeguard the legacy of its past leaders.   

Speaking at a rally in Rambukkana, Mr. Wickremesinghe said he has to safeguard the party even if he does not want to hold on to leadership forever.   

“We had to make a difficult decision to expel 54 SJB candidate and others from the UNP as some of those candidates were known to me and associated with me,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.   
He said those who decided to contest under SJB broke the UNP tradition of safeguarding the legacy of its past leaders.