UNP campaign marred by internal conflicts to resume

The United National Party (UNP) will hold its annual convention in December, says party spokesman Gayantha Karunatilleke. A discussion is to be held on Friday (Oct. 15) at party headquarters Sirikotha to finalise arrangements, he said.

Gayantha Karunatilleke also said that the UNP has already commenced campaigns demanding the release of former Sri Lanka Army commander Sarath Fonseka.

He also said that though the government had promised the masses that all their sufferings will be over after the war ends, it was still struggling even after one and a half years had passed after the victory. He pointed out the increase in prices of several essential commodities and said the masses were being burdened with yet more hardships.

Meanwhile, the UNP has decided to commence its public campaigns which were disrupted by the recent internal conflicts.

Preparing for the Local Government elections to be held next year, the UNP is to resume several of its campaigns in a bid to reach the grassroots. Under this campaign, the main programme ‘Grama Charika’ is to be launched on October 23 by UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya.

Concurrently, the party is also to launch a house-to-house campaign within the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) limits against the government’s attempt to convert the CMC into an authority.

This campaign under Colombo District parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake hopes to enhance its existing voter base in the area and thus take advantage at the upcoming LG polls. According to Mr. Karunanayake, the UNP will raise awareness among the voters within the CMC limits that the government move to convert the CMC into an authority is illegal.