UNP reforms will benefit membership and public - Dr. Jayalath J.

By Jaliya WIJEYEKOON

The United National Party which had rendered yeomen service to the country under many of its past leaders, has now become virtually dormant. No significant progress has been shown as a political party during the last few elections.

UNP membership has become disheartened over the successive defeats and has started challenging the party leadership, claiming that the defeats were mainly due to the unrealistic manner in which the present leader was handling the affairs of the party.

Especially with the humiliating defeat suffered by the party at the last Presidential election and the subsequent general election, Hambantota district MP Sajith Premadasa, the only son of former President, the late Ranasinghe Premadasa started openly challenging the leadership. He further said that he is prepared to take over the leadership, provided he is elected with the majority vote of the working committee members and sitting Parliamentarians of the party.

Different views emanated from various quarters of the membership and some of the party stalwarts were divided into two groups; ex. Ranil's group and Sajith's group. This is not a healthy development for a democratic political party which had been in power for over 30 years since independence under different leaders.

However, with the latest developments within the party, the executive committee members and all the sitting Parliamentarians of the UNP have agreed to effect some changes and adopt new policies to project the grand old party as a formidable force at a future election.

The Sunday Observer contacted Gampaha District Parliamentarian and frontline member of the United national Party Dr. Jayalath Jayewardene who elaborated on the ongoing discussions and present position of the party.

Q: Can you briefly explain the proposed reforms and the status of the leadership tussle?

A: To start from the beginning, I would like to say that the reforms in the United National Party, is not a new development; the party had been subjected to various reforms since its inception in 1946. All the previous leaders of the party had introduced certain reforms for the benefit of not only the party membership, but also the public.

In other words, reforms in the United National Party is a continuing process to suit the prevailing conditions and political atmosphere in the country. But most unfortunately, some bankrupt politicians and some media organisations are engaged in a malicious campaign to tarnish the image of the United National party, misconstruing the ongoing people-friendly discussions. I would like to draw your attention to the period of Sri Lanka's second Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake.

After taking over the party leadership from his late father, Dudley Senanayake introduced structural changes in the party which were more people-friendly.

Under Dudley Senanayake's leadership, the country's first students' union then, was set up. "Samavadi Shishya Peramuna" I am very proud to state that I also started my politics as a student activist of this union.

When J.R. Jayewardene became the leader of the party, he too implemented many reforms and requested the party membership and the public to support him to implement them, once they are elected to power; the UNP achieved an overwhelming victory at the subsequent General Election in 1977. Jayewardene aggressively marshalled the UNP trade union, the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya, implemented free economic policies for the first time in Asia and also introduced the new constitution. These are some reforms suggested and implemented by former President Jayewardene.

Similarly, when Ranasinghe Premadasa took over the reins of the UNP, he too introduced some reforms in the party which he very successfully executed during his short period in office.

When it comes to reforms, members do not approve them all with one voice. Some members may have certain reservations. That is human nature. But with successful implementation, they will change their stand. Reforms are also subjected to discussions and arguments. Sometimes, today's reforms could be further revised tomorrow.

When the Executive Presidency was introduced it was approved by all members of the party.

But, with the passage of time, we have realised that it needs to be amended and the head of the State should be responsible to Parliament. Therefore, we now feel that a Prime Minister with executive powers would be a better replacement to the Executive Presidency.

On the second question about leadership tussle in the party, please let me put the facts straight.

There is no tussle or tug-of-war in the UNP for a new leadership. The media is trying to make a mountain out of a molehill Some anti UNP elements are engaged in a malicious propaganda campaign to expose a wrong picture to the UNP membership and to the public, to halt the rapidly gathering momentum against the government.

Of course, I admit that there were differences of opinion on certain issues including the leadership by some party stalwarts which is quite acceptable in any democratic party.

Our Reforms Committee, headed by Joseph Michael Perera, has accepted the reforms proposals which will be implemented soon within the next few months, we hope to streamline everything and delegate different responsibilities to party stalwarts.

We also hope to work in collaboration with other opposition parties in the country to safeguard democracy, justice and fairplay.