UNP alleges coup attempt, efforts to appoint new PM

Efforts are being made to create another constitutional coup similar to that of the one on October 26 last year and to appoint a new premier, UNP MPs Ashu Marasinghe and Palitha Range Bandara alleged yesterday.

Speaking at a media briefing, the MPs said creating a division within the UNP was part of the conspiracy.

“It is only President Maithripala Sirisena who has an issue with regard to the forthcoming presidential election. He is concerned over his survival when his tenure culminates. He is keen on getting a candidate elected to presidency in a bid to ensure his survival. He is all out to create divisions within the UNP,” MP Range Bandara said, adding that the UNP could not be sabotaged by divisions as those who left the party in the past had found themselves in the wilderness.

Meanwhile, MP Marasinghe said he was prepared to withdraw his signature from the list of MPs who inked a document seeking the Prime Minister to convene the UNP working committee and parliamentary group to choose a presidential candidate. “I will withdraw the signature if it were confirmed that the campaign was part of a conspiracy,” he said.

Both MPs said they would work for any candidate named by the party, whether it be Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister Sajith Premadasa, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya or Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka. (Yohan Perera)