Only support candidates who contest under elephant: Akila

By Yohan Perera 

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has requested all members attached to provincial councils and local bodies of the party to only support candidates who contest the general election under the elephant symbol. 

In a letter addressed to all local government and provincial council members, he said they should support only those who were contesting under the elephant symbol. 

“Since the party’s working committee had approved a resolution to contest the election under the elephant symbol, all provincial council and local government members should support only those who contest under this symbol. Everyone in the party is bound to support the decision made by the working committee as per the party constitution. The party can take action against members who defy this decision under Section 3 (3) of the UNP constitution. 

We hope such an eventuality will not arise,” he said.  As per the party constitution, the UNP General Secretary has the power to recommend action against any member who breaches party discipline. The General Secretary can recommend the party leader to take action on any member against whom complaints are received or if he feels a member had acted against the interests of the party. 

Furthermore, the party constitution makes provision to refer the decision to the working committee for approval. At the same time, an offender should be given an opportunity to submit explanation.