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UNP split to three factions challenging Ranil's leadership

No chance for Ranil to escape this time

(Lanka-e-News, June 08, 2008, 9.00 PM) United National Party (UNP) internal sources say that the party is split into three factions that urge for a change in the leadership and seeking space for the popular leaders come forward in the party that has lost in 17 elections.

One group says that Rukman Senanayaka must be made the leader of the UNP while Mr. Wickramasinghe remains the Opposition Leader. A group led by MPs Lakshman Senevirathna, Johnston Fernando and Gayantha Karunathilaka are in this faction. All of them directly supported Mr. Wickramasinghe before the Ranil – Karu clash for the leadership. Ranil’s close associate Malik Samarawickrama, and UNP unofficial newspaper ‘Sunday Leader’ editor Lasantha Wikramathunga met Mr. Wikramasinghe who returned from a tour in Brussels and urged him to step down at least temporarily. They proposed Mr. Wickramasinghe to hand over the party leadership to Mr. Rukman Senanayaka. Gamini Aberathna alias Taxi Abe is also supporting them.

The Johnston - Lakshman Group proposes to give Mr. S.B. Disanayaka the post of party Deputy Leader and Mr. Sajith Premadasa a post he can be more active.

The second group led by MPs John Amarathunga, Sagala Rathnayaka and Akila Viraj Kariyawasam says that Mr. S.B. Disanayaka and Mr. Sajith Premadasa must be given more responsibilities while Mr. Wickramasinghe remains in the leadership.

The third group led by MPs Jayawickrama Perera and Joseph Michael Perera holds similar view and urge S.B., Sajith and other clever persons given more responsibilities.

UNP leader’s former pet Johston Fernando has taken up arms against his leader openly due to a controversy that erupted as the leader assigned MP Sagala Rathnayaka to distribute funds to UNP Batticaloa district candidates while Mr. Fernando was the in charge of party propaganda at the Eastern Provincial Council election. Mr.Johston Fernando, a trade union leader of the UNP who was not informed of the party’s bullock cart parade responded negatively when a trade union activist enquired from him about the protest campaign.

Meanwhile, a clash has reportedly erupted between UNP General Secretary Thissa Aththanayaka and Chairman Rukman Senanayaka over party internal work. There is a campaign to replace Mr. Aththanayaka with Mr. Imitiyaz Bakeer Marcar. A group led by MPs Johnston Fernando, Ravi Samaraweera, Lakshman Senevirathna, Ranjith Fernando and a team that rejoined the UNP from late Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali’s party is backing this view.

Meanwhile, the UNP leader said to his close associates that broad political alliance was necessary and the elections must be fought with elephant symbol. He hinted that Mr. S. B. Disanayaka should be given the responsibility of organizing the campaign.

The UNP leader who is now on a tour in India is to return to the country on Tuesday (10). The three factions are to come to a decision after a dialogue with Mr. Wikramasinghe.

The activists of these groups say that Mr. Wikramasinghe will not be given opportunity to getaway this time. They say that a deeper crisis will be built up in the party if the problems are not solved now.

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Comments ( 12 ) | This Article Viewers ( 5003 ) | E-Mail This Article | Print This Article

Ranil is totally blinded by jelousy,he is very weak person who can turn blind eye to the country if he gains.But who is going to hold the rein, is it S.B.is he acceptable to common masses,why he was punished by suprem court though he get away from justice we know he is not clean, is it Abewardena is he difference has he got good record, sajith can we recomend him as long as we remember premadasa (senior) when we read Divaina -taht denek palanakala ratak.But only Ranil can keep all these people who are jelous of each other keep together. so must be there

Posted By: usd

Very nice to read lot of good comments like these. They are all encouraging. Hope all UNP members read them and act. We need to build up the country before its too late. RW act fast.

Posted By: Land Lover

I agree with av. citizen's comment. But as per RW he will not choose to win elections and get into power by hook or by crook. He is the visest leader in the country at the moment. He is well known as Mr. Clean and he is. In the resent past I haven't seen a leeder who had a grate vision and has the ability to manage the finance in the country. We all experinced all that during his 2 years as the PM of the country not even as the President. But all theese things will be only words if he dosent have the power. with the present situation in the country RW has to come to power by hook or by crook. having sid that do not forget UNP still has over 4.8 million people with the party and hoping for a UNP govenment. After come in to power then be the honest, Mr. Clean, Aththa thiththa unath kiyanawa etc.. all these things you can do when you become the leader of the country. If not they will remain as words as been said by a grate leader named MR. RW. In sports if I see our partner is week, if I have the confidence to win I take controll and drive to the victory. One last advice do not be apart getogether Convince the leader and fight together we all are waiting to see that. Aritha.

Posted By: Aritha Fernando

I think at last Unp realize what needs to be done to safeguard the party getting read-of ranil well done>

Posted By: R M Aluwihare

I agree with "Average Citizen". Mr. Ranil's views are very far sited and that needs support from other UNP members. SB, Sajith, Mangala, Rukman, Jhon, Johnston, Malik and others are all talented politicians and knows the pulse of average citizens of the country, whereas Ranil can concentrate on the educated and high profile crowd of the country. This way they can unite and build the party up and throw this stupid Govt out of office. If you keep on fighting within the party the people who had already ruined the country and all the civilians and soldiers lives and stay happily in USA will have all the advantages and ruin more. The Comments from "Average Citizen" should be read by all UNP ers. Good one "Average Citizen"

Posted By: Land Lover

This news is extremely misleading, bias and wrong with full of factual errors. No doubt this has been fabricated by corrupted Karu's group, to enable a crossover back to UNP realising the fact that they have no future remaining anylonger with the government since it is strugling to survive. Anyone knows that there will be a general election just before the next Budget reading in November before any possibe defeat. So This is obviously the mastermind of corrupted Karu's group to split the UNP once again to remove Ranil from the chair of leadership and catch the power of the party.

Posted By: Criss

Now its high time for Ranil to step back. If UNP ever wants to win.... give the position to Sajith. He is young, energetic, popular character and a capable man. People need a change now. Take an example from OBAMA. Mr Wickramasinghe must play a role like Sonia Gandhi. Lets go for a new wave (like JR did in 77). Please don't let the SLFP and all other lefties to ruin the country. - by village Elephant

Posted By: chaminda

UNP should forget their diferrences & brig back Karu. J for the leadership. He is the only person acceptable to lead the party. The names suggested are not acceptable to the ordinary masses who finally decide at an election.

Posted By: Jagath

Ranil may not be the best leader, but he is the only available honest statesman we are having in the country at rhe moment. So the duty of others is not to challenge him, but to give him the strength, educate the masses and struggle to bring a statesman to the leadership of the country, not a lying, visionless, selfish and (ONLY) powerhungry person like the incumbent.

Posted By: Tony

I feel something fishy in lanka enews agenda. same thing happened to hiru fm ,Duminda silva crossover to MR government.You feel the pressure easing the preassure you do kuli jobs to MR. I know some frustrations in leaders like SB ,he has a speedy journey to the top,but see Sajith how patient he is going a slow journey to the top,no body can deny.Ranil lost due to intemidiation ,and fraudlant politics,every body must get together to get rid of this junta. Ranil is the only leader in whole sri lanka at the moment vissible national leader.Even charismatic Velupille envy of him,that is why took a bribe from MR and stoped Tamils voting RANIL.

Posted By: sunil wickramasinghe

I totally agree with the comment posted by "Average Citizen", Very well said. You will only understand his vision as u learn about the politics and governing of 1st world countries. I guess the majority of the Sri lankans not evolved yet to understand this.

Posted By: CP

Unfortunately RW is not an appealing charismatic leader for our masses of this country because our masses are very short sited, ignorant, no wisdom, political cussedness etc. However RW vision is the ONLY realistic vision to develop this country to great heights. So I don’t know we can take the leadership of UNP, because primary essence of the leadership is PRINCIPALS and HONNESTY, can anybody nominate a person who has those qualities and really LOVE SRI LANKA. Only one person I know is Sajith Premadasa, which he is still maturing. If UNP MPs and Organizers want to change the leader who will be and you’ll not competent enough to educate masses with UNP vision, you’ll planning to gain power of own interest like present regime. I think future is better for UNP if you can get Mangala S (I hope he will not play dirty politics play with the country anymore) to UNP any kind of alliance. As Mangala stated first thing is to change the idiotic CONSTITUTION which PRESIDENT WILL LIABLE TO THE PARLIMENT. I belived American System is best model for Sri Lanka with amendments, I hope SL politicians knows about American Political system and the constitution. I urge UNP to come forward and rescue the country from this present state, I believe UNP is best out of worst=PA,SLFP & RED Parties. Mangala other politicians pl join hands with UNP and same Sri Lanka, educate masses with present state of affairs.

Posted By: Average Citizen