UNP not using capable leaders, says Lakshman Seneviratne
July 27, 2010 12:04 am
Discipline within the party is vital. The party should also raise hope among the masses. Without these a party cannot win any election, said United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian Lakshman Seneviratne.
The present UNP has been unable to provide these two since 1994. That is the main reason for the party to lose elections and the supporters to distance themselves from the party, claimed the UNP Deputy Secretary General while answering questions posed by TV Derana 360 hostess Dilka Samanmali.
Responding to the on-going discussions with the government and the UNP, Mr. Seneviratne said it was a good sign. It also provides safety to certain persons in the party. However, it has a serious disadvantage as well. The UNP, while engaged in discussions, will be unable to directly protest against the government even on crucial issues. The masses will not trust the party even if it does, added Badulla District Parliamentarian Lakshman Seneviratne.
Asked whether in the event of removing Ranil Wickremesinghe from UNP leadership fails, an attempt to install some other person as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament is afoot, Mr. Seneviratne said a known devil is better than an unknown angel and that he would not support such a move.
On the UNP supporting a ‘common candidate’ at he Presidential Election, Lakshman Seneviratne said in lighter vein that at that juncture even the known devil did not come forward and hence they had to support an ‘unknown angel’ and everybody knows the results.
The main problem is not the lack of capable persons to lead the UNP. The problem is that those capable are not being used. If misfits are appointed to vital positions in any organization, it will definitely collapse. The UNP is facing such a position now, said Lakshman Seneviratne.