Campaign to be launched on Friday: Harin

United National Party (UNP) MP Harin Fernando said those who wanted the party’s former deputy leader Sajith Premadasa to be appointed as party leader and leader of the opposition would launch a campaign on Friday, December 6, 2019, to re-build Mr. Premadasa’s political future.

He told a news conference that those who were backing Mr. Premadasa would get what they were for but the unnecessary delay was disconcerting. “The issue now is the delay and we do not understand why this matter should be dragged for so long,” Mr. Fernando said.

When asked as to why Mr. Premadasa was not come out like former president and current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa did in 2015, Mr. Fernando said Mr. Premadasa would begin a campaign on Friday although a proper timetable for the programme was yet to be prepared.

“Mr. Premadasa has said he is willing to reorganise the UNP,” he said and when asked why Mr. Premadasa had not participated in any discussions with party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mr. Fernando said Mr. Premadasa had discussed these matters with party seniors.

MPs Harsha de Silva, Hesha Vithanage, Chaminda Wijesiri, S.M. Marikar and Nalin Bandara Jayamaha who were at the news conference called for a major shakeup of the party without delay. “The party should listen to the constituency or it will perish,” Dr de Silva said.

He said Mr. Wickremesinghe could continue to play a role such as a senior patron or adviser even if the party hierarchy was changed. (Yohan Perera)