Ruwan Wijewardene elected Deputy Leader of UNP

Former State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene was elected Deputy Leader at a secret ballot today.

UNP Legal Secretary Nissanka Nanayakkara told journalists that a secret ballot was conducted when both Mr. Wijewardene and Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake informed the working committee that they would contest for the post.

Mr. Wijewardene was apparently elected as the Deputy Leader with a majority of 18 votes. Accordingly, Mr. Wijewardene polled 28 votes while Mr. Karunanayake polled 10 votes.

It was reported that Former Ministers Navin Dissanayake and Vajira Abeywardene did not contest for the Deputy Leader's post. (Yohan Perera)