United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe recently had invited two persons said to be lawyers to his residence at Cambridge Terrace, said National Lawyers’ Association (NLA) chairman Attorney-at-Law Upul Jayasuriya. But what transpired at the meeting was not revealed by him.

However, Upul Jayasuriya claimed that the two persons said to be lawyers are not from the National Lawyers’ Association and had no authority to represent same. While refraining from divulging their names, he said it could be made public if needed.

Asked by the media whether the NLA was in favour of Ranil Wickremesinghe remaining as party leader or was against, Mr. Jayasuriya said that they would not commit themselves to either side right now.

“We are meeting at UNP headquarters on May 7 to discuss the recent situations. The meeting may or may not create a confrontation with Ranil Wickremesinghe. We will wait and see,” Upul Jayasuriya said.

NLA secretary Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake and its vice chairman Attorney-at-Law Lakshman Galhena too were present at the media briefing this morning (April 27).

Earlier, media reports stated that a group of a group of UNP MPs and senior lawyers had held discussions on the political developments and also with a view to bringing changes within the party. They had been reportedly invited by NLA secretary Attorney-at-Law Gunaratne Wanninayake.

Media reports further alleged that the majority of the lawyers from the NLA had opted for the removal of Ranil Wickremesinghe from the post of UNP leader during a meeting at party headquarters Siri Kotha.

The National Lawyers’ Association Society is to meet again on May 7 and possibly convey its decision to the UNP leadership.

Photo caption: Attorneys at Law Upul Jayasuriya (centre) with Gunaratne Wanninayake (left) and Lakshman Galhena (right) during the media briefing. (Pic. By D. Banduwardena)