SP Councillors threaten non-violent march to UNP HQ

The Galle District Provincial Councillors of the Southern PC have written to Opposition and United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe requesting for an appointment for them to handover their proposals for party reforms.

UNP Southern Provincial Councillor Maithri Gunaratne says that nearly 90 per cent of the UNP Councillors, electoral organizers and party activists had discussed and compiled several proposals to be submitted to the party leader.

“The letter has been accepted by Ranil Wickremesinghe. But if he fails to give us an appoint soon, we are preparing to proceed on a non-violent march towards Sirikotha and handover the proposals forcibly to the party leader,” says Mr. Gunaratne.

Party reforms have to be carried urgently so that the UNPers could face the upcoming Local Government polls with confidence. That is the only way open for the supporters to take the UNP forwards, claimed Maithri Gunaratne.

During the discussions, the Galle District UNPers had decided to call upon Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down as party leader and appoint a capable person to the post. Mr. Wickremesinghe could remain as a senior leader and also Leader of the Opposition in parliament. If this is done, they could get the backing of all party members and supporters to take the UNP on a winning streak at the next elections, said Mr. Gunaratne.

“We are not specifying names to the posts. But a suitable person could be appointed to head the party while another person should be made Deputy Leader. These are our demands and we hope our leader gives the appointment soon,” Provincial Councillor Gunaratne said.