News
Ranil gets huge majority to continue for six more years
View(s):After months of controversy and bitter infighting and criticism, the main opposition United National Party (UNP) yesterday approved with a huge majority a resolution that the election of the party leader will take place every six years and not every year as at present.
As thousands of delegates gathered for the UNP's crisis-ridden convention yesterday, party headquarters Sirikotha was like a fortress with hundreds of armed security forces personnel guarding the vast area around it. Pic by M.D. Nissanka
The approval of this resolution will enable party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to continue in the post for another six years till 2019.
As more than 5,300 delegates gathered at the party headquarters Sirikotha yesterday morning for the crisis-ridden 54th convention, the area was placed under a heavy security cordon by the Special Task Force (STF), the Ministerial Security Division (MSD) and the Police anti-riot squad.
The resolution to elect the leader every six years was moved by MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and seconded by MP Ajith P. Perera.
Mr. Wickremesinghe then requested the delegates to the convention to show their approval or disapproval. The majority of them raised their hands expressing support for the resolution.
Party General Secretary Tissa Attanayake later told the media that 4,978 members voted in favour of the resolution and 337 against.
The UNP’s Deputy Leader, Sajith Premadasa, who stood up soon after the voting took place said he was opposed to the resolution for the election of the leader every six years.
After the huge vote of approval, Mr. Wickremesinghe told the convention the party should start reorganising its membership at branch level so that there would be sufficient numbers for big street protests.
He said his aim was to defeat the Mahinda Rajapaksa government and form a UNP government by 2014.
Follow @timesonlinelk
Related Posts:
Ranil calls for discipline within UNP ranksDiscipline was required when fighting dictatorial rule, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday at a meeting in Kandy. “We have ...
My only struggle in life is to topple the Rajapaksa regime, says RanilUnited National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday he has made it his personal struggle in life to topple ...
TNA will consider forming common alliance in Eastern Provincial Council – if invitedA Cabinet Minister’s proposal for a coalition administration in thr Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) could be considered if an invitation ...
Greens miss the wood for the treesMy Dear Green Man and Sajith, I thought I must write to you as both of you prepare for the annual ...
Why Mervyn did not go to the CPA dinnerThe weekly Cabinet meeting was advanced to 5 p.m. last Wednesday. This was because President Mahinda Rajapaksa was hosting a ...