In a strange twist of turns, Sri Lanka's onetime largest single political party- the United National Party (UNP) which said that it would have a new leader before the local authorities’’ poll, has now decided to face polls under incumbent Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

During UNP’s Working Committee meeting held last night (January 13, 2011) party members including reformist group leader MP Sajith Premadasa agreed to run the election under Wickremesinghe.
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The first interim Working Committee meeting of the UNP, since the party amended its Constitution last December, was held on Thursday (Jan. 13) evening at ‘Srikotha’ but the ‘Sajith Group’, in spite of its earlier call for a change in the leadership, did not pursue the matter.

Party sources told ‘The Island’ that Sajith Premadasa, MP, who had campaigned for key posts, including the leader to be elected and was expected to move for its implementation in keeping with the new Constitution, told the WC meeting that the forthcoming Local Government Election was far more important. (Read More)

The UNP says it will not form alliances with any political party to contest the forthcoming local government elections. Addressing the media, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said that the decision would only apply to local polls scheduled to be held in March.

The Kandy District MP said members of other political parties wanting to contest LG polls on the UNP ticket would have to obtain UNP membership first. Asked if the decision would apply to future elections as well, he said "No, but my personal opinion is that this policy should be continued. (Read More)

Due to the differences of opinion regarding ‘Patriotism’ between him and the Leadership of the UNP, ministerial portfolios were given even to the uneducated with Grade II and VIII qualifications granting them better recognition, while he was constantly ignored, the Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province and former Speaker of the House W.J.M. Lokubandara, said. He was elected to the parliament in 1977 after serving as an Asst. Director in the Legal Draftsman's Department, but the UNP Government that existed then appointed Grade II and Grade III qualified persons as ministers, said the Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province addressing a seminar held at Passara Resources Management Training Institute, recently. (Read More)

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday condemned the demonstrations in Britain by pro-LTTE activists, resulting in the cancellation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s address to the Oxford Union.

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga told journalists this was a blow to the country as a whole, and therefore his party vehemently condemned such activities by pro-LTTE elements.

“We may have political differences with the president. Yet, he is the leader of this country. We do not approve of any act which insults the country as a whole,” he said. (Read More)

Political sources say contrary to recent reports in a section of the media, the ‘Reformists’ group is confident of taking control of the situation. Those who asserted that that Reformists’ campaign had collapsed, due to the UNP Working Committee rejecting MP Sajith Premadasa’s proposal to expand the Electoral College, were wrong, sources say.

 “It might soon reach a century because of the need for the government to please its members just like what it did by creating senior ministerial posts,” UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said.

He said initially 60 ministers and 31 deputy ministers were sworn in and a few days later one more minister and three more deputy ministers were brought in taking the total to 61 ministers and 35 deputy ministers. “The president has appointed a minister to each and every department and corporation,” he added.(Read More)

A smiling Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday (Nov. 30) told the ruling coalition to set up a new secretariat for Senior Ministers and call it ‘Vishramapaya.’ Wickremesinghe made the suggestion at the outset of the committee stage debate on the Appropriation Bill 2011.

The Opposition leader also raised a point of order regarding a decision not to allocate funds for Senior Ministers, but provide a general allocation for all. The UNPer said this was contrary to financial regulations of the country. Wickremesinghe, who opened the de bate for the Opposition said that instead of senior Ministers, President Mahinda Rajapaksa should have appointed ‘coordinating’ Ministers as is done in Indonesia.(Read More)

United National Party (UNP) Colombo District MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakse told Parliament yesterday the appointment of Senior Ministers contravened the Constitution because it did not permit the creation of such posts. He said as a result the opposition would not recognize the newly created posts of senior ministers.

Mr. Rajapakse said however by using his executive powers the president could make such appointments.

He said the powers to monitor public finances were fully vested with the legislature, but unfortunately these powers have now been taken over by the executive. (Read More)