News

News

UNP ponders 2-tier leadership
The UNP reforms programme was working towards splitting the current leadership into a two-tier structure accommodating both incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe and Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, party insiders told The Sunday Times yesterday.

Back room discussions between the Wickremesinghe faction and the Jayasuriya backed faction are working towards making Mr. Wickremesinghe the Senior Chairman of the party with powers of chairing the committee that will select candidates for future elections and other related matters.

He will also retain the post of Opposition Leader. Mr. Jayasuriya is likely to be made the leader of the party which will deal with all other matters currently handled by Mr. Wickremesinghe if the proposed reforms are eventually agreed to by all sides.

A party source likened the splitting of the posts to Mr. Wickremesinghe playing the role of a Chairman and Mr. Jayasuriya playing the role of CEO. Among the other reforms are that all office-bearers of the party will be active politicians.

There will also be a Supreme Council of senior party men headed by Mr. Wickremesinghe which will select candidates for future elections at all levels.

Top

Back to News