UNP leadership tussle erupts again

Party stalwarts air different views:

Decisive Working Committee meeting today:

By Jaliya WIJEYEKOON

Ranil Wickremesinghe

Karu Jayasuriya

The United National Party, which had been a formidable political force in Sri Lanka since its inception, had fared pathetically at all elections held after 2004.

The party’s vote base plunged to its lowest ebb at the last LG polls. According to political analysts, there are a number of reasons for the downfall of this grand Old Party, the main reason being the stand taken by the party under the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe on seeking solutions to the decades-long terrorism in the North.

The LTTE eliminated most of the vibrant and charismatic leaders of the UNP within a span of a few months in 1993 and that was another reason for the gradual decline of the United National Party, according to some analysts.

The elimination of terrorism by the present government, headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is the main reason for the drastic decline in electoral performances by the UNP at the past few elections.

Yet another reason put forward by the people is the undemocratic manner in which the present leader is handling the political affairs of the party. The arrogant, stubborn and stupid way in which he treats the party membership has led to the present deplorable position”, most believe.

John Amaratunga

Imithiaz Bakeer Markar

Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene

Gayantha Karunathilake

Rukman Senanayake

Soon after the 1994 General elections, a request was made by around 30 parliamentarians to Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down from the leadership and hand it over to another person so that the party will get a new lease of life. But Wickremesinghe suppressed dissension and continued in the leadership. A number of political incidents took place subsequently and all of them were for the disadvantage of the Grand Old Party.

A large number of senior UNP stalwarts left the party and joined the Government and most of them boldly stated that they were forced to leave the party, not due to any other reason, but due to feeble leadership.

After the humiliating defeat suffered by the party at the last general election, the young Hambantota district Parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa, the son of former President the late Ranasinghe Premadasa challenged the leadership.

His campaign for the leadership gathered momentum immediately, supported by a substantial number of sitting Members of Parliament and former stalwarts.

The main contention of the Reformists Group was that the reason for the string of election defeats of the party was the unpolitical attitude of the present leader and his dictatorial manner of handling the political affairs of the party.

A clear division emerged in the party with the faction being branded a reformist group as they clamoured for reforms in the party Constitution.

The reforms suggested by them were accepted by the APEX body of the party (Working Committee) on August 10, 2010 and a number of amendments were made to the party Constitution which were ratified by its National Convention held on December 12, 2010. Sajith Premadasa, who was vying for the party leadership, settled for the Co-Deputy Leader’s post while Ranil Wickremesinghe was unanimously elected leader.

However, immediately afterwards, there were allegations by the Reformists, Group that certain top positions of the party were not filled democratically or following accepted procedures. Sajith Premadasa, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Sugeewa Semasinghe, Buddhika Pathirana, Rosy Senanayake, Thalatha Athukorala, Dayasiri Jayasekera and some others vehemently attacked the leadership for violating the party Constitution.

The internal party conflict has been steadily gathering steam and Sajith Premadasa subsequently proposed Karu Jayasuriya to take over the leadership, saying that he is the most suitable person who could consolidate the party back and lead it towards a future victory.

Karu Jayasuriya, having considered the request and studying the ground situation, recently expressed his desire to accept the leadership to guide the party to victory at a future election.

Although his name had been mentioned in the post for the leadership, he never wanted to challenge the incumbent leader as he is much junior in the party compared to the present leader.

However, with the latest developments in the party, and requests of most members and various organisations, especially the Maha Sangha, Jayasuriya is now prepared to even contest for the leadership with Wickremesinghe to restore the lost glory of the Grand Old Party.

The UNP Executive Committee is expected to meet today to elect its new office bearers and it is the general belief that most of the positions would be filled with the consensus of all Working Committee members.

The Sunday Observer contacted some of the party stalwarts to get their views on the leadership tussle. Excerpts are as follows:

Party Spokesman – Gayantha Karunathilake

Q: What have you got to say about the leadership contest and whom do you think is the more suitable person to lead the party right now?

A: The Executive Committee hopes to appoint new office bearers with the consensus of everybody. In the absence of a consensus only will we have to go for a secret ballot.

I personally think that both these leaders are equally suitable to lead our party and also equally important to the party. I have a strong belief it will be settled quite amicably and with the consensus of everybody. If two people face an election for any post, invariably there will be a division among the Ex-co members which is not very healthy for the future activities of the party

Former Minister Imithiaz Bakeer Markar

Q: What will happen today to the incumbent leader of your party? Can Karu Jayasuriya muster the majority support of Ex-co members?

A: I don’t think the present leader will opt for an election because it is quite evident that from the moment Karu Jayasuriya pronounced his desire to accept the leadership, the degree of enthusiasm among the grass roots level membership has increased.

In addition to that, the Mahanayake Theras of all Chapters have jointly issued a statement requesting Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down from the leadership and pave the way for another person to lead the party since the need of the hour is a vibrant Opposition. All previous leaders of our party worked closely with the Maha Sangha and sought their advice in performing their leadership activities. I have a feeling that Ranil Wickremesinghe will listen to the Maha Sangha and will arrive at a consensus on the leadership issue. If he fails to listen to the Maha Sangha, he would be making a grave mistake where the repercussions would be very gloomy.

The question of getting the majority support of the Working Committee doesn’t arise if both aspirants are prepared to arrive at a consensus.

Q: Don’t you think that if Ranil Wickremesinghe and Karu Jayasuriya contest the leadership, Ranil will have a bigger chance of winning as most of the Working Committee members have been appointed by him?

A: It’s a misconception. The duty of the Working Committee members is to look after the interests of the party and formulate plans to capture power for the party as soon as possible and not to safeguard the interests of any individual.

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga

Q: What have you got to say about the leadership issue? Today is a crucial day for your leader, isn’t it?

A: Nothing extraordinary will happen. Ranil Wickremesinghe will remain the leader and guide the party to victory very soon. The whole world knows about the suitability of Wickremesinghe to lead the party with his ocean of knowledge as Parliamentary affairs and all political matters.

Unfortunately, a handful of our vociferous speakers do not understand his value and make foolish utterances, jeopardising the support of the grass roots level membership. Even if they go for a secret ballot, Ranil will emerge victorious with a resounding majority among the Working Committee members. I don’t think that will happen, the issue would be settled amicably and with a consensus.

Former party stalwart – Rukman Senanayake

Q:Will there be a change in the leadership at today’s all important meeting?

A: Yes, there has to be a change. Our party has been gradually and steadily eroding under the present feeble leadership.

Unless we change the leadership, at least now, the party will be further driven to political doldrums.

I am quite sure that Karu Jayasuriya can reunite all the disintegrated factions of the party and restore its lost glory under his leadership. We want a practical, sensible and flexible person to resurrect the party from its present pathetic situation. The UNP will see the light of day once again under Karu’s leadership for which we will give our fullest co-operation in future.

Deputy General Secretary (UNP) - Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene

Q: What have you got to say about today’s meeting of your APEX body, where a vital decisions will be taken in electing a new leader?

A: Yes, the Working Committee members will try to elect a leader with the consensus of everybody.

If this fails, we will be compelled to go for a secret ballot. As a dedicated and devoted member of our party and as an office bearer, it is morally and ethically incorrect for me to comment on this issue.

I would like to say that the provision in our party constitution to elect office bearers annually should be amended, as an year is too short a period for anybody to function in an office.

The Sunday Observer tried to get comments from many other sitting members of the party with regard to today’s crucial meeting, but they avoided speaking to the media on this issue as they do not want to commit themselves and get into the good or bad books of either of the two leaders. Party supporters from all corners of the country are anxiously waiting to see that the leadership tussle sorted out amicably, and a unanimous decision taken by the party top brass to avoid any division or dissension in future.

It is the general belief that the main Opposition should strengthen itself, shedding petty differences and pose a challenge to the ruling party to safeguard democracy and the rule of law in the country.