Samagi Balawegaya should have two Joint General Secretaries: Ruwan

The Samagi Balawegaya should create two posts of general secretaries and appoint UNP general secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Samagi Jana Balawegaya General Secretary Ranjit Maduma Bandara to the posts, MP Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

Mr. Wijewardene told a press conference that unity could be established by creating joint general secretary posts. " It is essential that there is unity within the party to challenge the government in the general election" he said. Mr Wijewardene said the issue with regard to the symbol is a legal matter as if a party lend a symbol for the general election it will go into the pool of symbols which the commission of elections holds for five years.

"Any other party could claim the symbol within that period. If that happens even UNP could lose the elephant symbol in the event it lends the symbol to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya,"the MP added. Accordingly, he said there is an option of having two joint general secretaries so that both could have a say in party matters.

MP Asu Marasinghe who also participated in the press conference said some have come out with false accusations that those who want to contest the election under the elephant symbol are the ones who have undertaken a contract from the government to destroy the UNP. "We wonder whether those who accuse us of trying to devide the party are carrying out a contract from the government," Professor Marasinghe said.