UNP expels 54 members contesting under SJB

The United National Party (UNP) Working Committee today decided to expel 54 members who obtained the nominations from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to contest the 2020 General Elections.

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told a press conference that further 61 Local Government members would also be expelled from the party.

“We expelled these persons for seeking nominations from other parties and for not supporting the UNP during the ongoing election campaign. Some more to be expelled in the coming days,” Mr. Kariyawasam said.

He said the 61 local government members would lose their membership of the local government bodies. “We will inform the Elections Commission about our decision,” he added.

Meanwhile, he said another 200 members from local government bodies would also be removed and replaced.

"We will publish the names of those who were expelled today," he also said. (Yohan Perera)