Wide-ranging talks with Maha Sangha:

Major changes in UNP likely

by Jaliya Wijeyekoon

The United Bhikkhu Front has initiated a program to reunite all factions and reorganise the United National Party following its humiliating defeat at the recent Provincial Council elections.

The Maha Sangha has held extensive discussions with the incumbent leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and other party stalwarts including Imithiaz Bakeer Markar who never deserted the party though he was stripped of all positions.

Wickremesinghe has agreed with the Maha Sangha's proposals to appoint a leadership committee where the chairman would be Karu Jayasuriya and all members would have equal powers to take decisions in keeping with the forward march of the party. These proposals will be taken up at tomorrow's Executive Committee meeting for approval and it is likely that there would be significant changes in the party as agreed upon by most party frontliners.

Former Minister Imithiaz Bakeer Markar told the Sunday Observer that an opportunity has now arisen for the leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Karu Jayasuriya, Sajith Premadasa and all other frontliners to realise their shortcomings and work in unison to restore the party's lost glory on the instructions of the Maha Sangha.

Some members would have to make sacrifices to put the party back on the winning track.

"My firm intention is to restore the lost glory of my beloved party as I know for sure that the United National Party is the only party which can consolidate inter-communal harmony and address the pressing needs of the masses," he said.