Fresh leadership tussle in the UNP: SJB

By Ranjith Rajapaksa   

There will be fresh leadership tussle in the UNP if current leader Ranil Wickremesinghe decides to step down after the general election as three senior members are appearing to be vieing for the top post, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said yesterday.   He told an election rally in Maskeliya that Navin Dissanayake, Ravi Karunanayake and Daya Gamage will vie for the leadership should Mr. Wickremesinghe step down from the leadership. 

 
“However, there is unity among the SJB members unlike in the UNP, which is confined to a sign board and the elephant symbol,” Mr. Madduma Bandara said. “People like Mr. Dissanayake claim there is a division in the SJB. They are actually trying to create a division within the SJB,” Mr. Madduma Bandara said.   
He said the SJB was formed with the approval of the UNP working committee and the UNP was a constituent party of the SJB.   

On a different note, he said the SLPP-led government had proved to be a failure having failed to deliver the pledges made during the presidential election. “The SLPP pledged to cancel the MCC agreement and to bring those responsible for the bond scam to justice. However the people are suffering as a result of the sky rocketing cost of living. Salaries are cut while the ancient archaeological sites are being destroyed,” Mr. Madduma Bandara said.