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UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who kept mum during the last two months without reacting against the dissident group fearing that they would leave the party has decided to strengthen his position isolating the dissidents who demand that he steps down from the party leadership and Opposition Leader post.

Ending his silence Wickremesinghe organised many meetings in several districts and got the party supporters to demand that Wickremesinghe should lead the party.

Wickremesinghe addressed many meetings in several districts where he has backing and got grassroot level politicians to speak on his behalf. Many Pradeshiya Sabha and Provincial Council members openly canvassed for Wickremesinghe's leadership in Puttalam, Gampaha, Kalutara and at Sirikotha meetings held during the week.

However, Wickremesinghe interrupted many harsh speeches of his supporters against dissident group members fearing dissident members will defect from the party.

Party sources said that Wickremesinghe had agreed to many reforms except stepping down from party leadership and opposition leader post allowing Karu Jayasuriya to lead the party.

But the dissidents have insisted that the UNP could not be given a new face without the leadership of Karu Jayasuriya.

However, dissidents are also in a helpless situation now as the Government has not invited them to join its ranks and now they find it difficult to remove Wickremesinghe from the leadership as planned.

However, Wickremesinghe has promised to give a word on reforms at tomorrow's Parliamentary group meeting.

Dissidents have also decided not to hold any more meetings with Wickremesinghe and wait till tomorrow's (16) Parliamentary Group meeting for Wickremesinghe to make a statement on their demands.

Wickremesinghe loyalists are ready to defeat any eventuality if dissidents try to pass a resolution at the meeting to select Karu Jayasuriya as the leader.

(JSN)

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