UNP divided over symbol for alliance

The United National Party (UNP) goes in for a crucial Working Committee meeting today evening amidst division over the symbol of the alliance they would be contesting for the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

Senior members said they were undecided over whether they should field candidates under the Elephant symbol or should select another symbol.

MP Ravi Karunanayake said they were of the opinion that the symbol should be elephant symbol, but MP Sarath Fonseka said that the view of the alliance members was that they should select another symbol.

The Working Committee meeting is due to get underway later in the day where they would also decide whether nominee Ranjith Madduma Bandara will be accepted as the General Secretary of the Alliance.

“We do not see a problem in accepting Mr Madduma Bandara as his name has already been accepted by the UNP Parliamentary group”, a member loyal to the Sajith Premadasa faction said.

But, those supporting UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the decision was ‘still open” as there could be other proposals as well.