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by Prasad Gunawardene

Six in the fray contemplating to be the next UNP Mayor of Colombo, if the party wins the Council has deepened the crisis in the green camp looking deeper than the leadership crisis.

Of the six two have been former Mayors, another a Deputy Mayor and the other three are new faces. The six men in the fray are former UNP stalwart Sirisena Cooray, Omar Kamil, Azath Sally, Bodhisiri Ranasinghe, Hemasiri Fernando and Thilanga Sumathipala.

Cooray is fully backed by the double 'M' duo, Milinda Moragoda and Mohamed Maharoof. M. H. Mohamed who gave sideline support to that move has now withdrawn, party sources said.

Bodhi Ranasinghe, once the campaign manager who ensured the Mayoralty for Karu Jayasuriya had the backing of Jayasuriya at the initial stages. But later Jayasuriya appeared to be in much favour of Omar Kamil, the man who succeeded him as Mayor. Ranasinghe is reported to be dejected over Jayasuriya's change of stance as he not only backed Jayasuriya but also was the campaign manager of party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo during all elections.

Wickremesinghe appears to favour Hemasiri Fernando, the new comer seeking the high office in Colombo.The indication is that Bodhi Ranasinghe's sweat for his leader and the deputy has failed to pay dividends. The man riding high seeking greener pastures at all times, Sumathipala has made in roads to Mohamed with UNP rebel Maheswaran fully behind him assuring votes of the minorities in Colombo.

Mohamed in his inimitable style has left Cooray in the lurch to back Sumathipala who is ready to gallop.

Deputy Mayor Azath Sally, a bitter critic of Maharoof has taken the battle by himself with no seniors backing him this time.Last week he had a decisive meeting with Wickremesinghe.The boss's attitude was "You can have your say,but I will have my way".

The UPFA has nominated the bearded fiery politician, Vasudeva Nanayakkara. Political analysts say that Vasu will be a better horse who could topple the green administration of the Council that had lasted over 55 years except for the brief tenure of LSSP stalwart late Dr. N. M. Perera.

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