Stern action against errant party members, regardless of position: Ranil

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe warned on Friday that stern action would be taken against any party member regardless of the position he holds in the UNP if he acts in breach of party discipline.

“When people are taking to the streets in protest against the government, these people are attempting to sabotage this process and strengthen the hand of the government. Whatever positions these saboteurs may hold, our party will take stern action against them,” the UNP leader said when he addressed party workers in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya.

“Whether it’s the country or a party, if we are to move forward there must be discipline. We cannot allow anyone at whatever level they maybe within the party to breach party discipline,” he said.

The UNP leader said whether it’s the General Secretary or Chairman, if they breach party discipline, the party would act against them. Otherwise we cannot safeguard the party and direct the party toward the path of victory, he said.

“Some in our party first gave leadership to the attack on Sirikotha. They destroyed the ‘maha gedara” (headquarters) of the party. Now some others are attempting to sabotage our protest campaign we are carrying on as the joint opposition against the government.

“We are conducting these protests with the agreement of several other parties. But some of our people are attempting to destroy that agreement and hinder our attempts to form a common opposition front against the government. No matter whatever level they may occupy in the party, we cannot allow them to act in this manner.

The UNP leader said that recently two or three Pradeshiya Sabha members behaved in an ugly manner in Badulla. When the incident was investigated, it was found that they were in a highly intoxicated state.
It was found that these saboteurs who have taken the contract to safeguard the government have sent the drunkards to disrupt the party meetings. These PS members who came drunk and acted in an ugly manner were sent out of the venue by us. Necessary measures will be taken against them, he added.