UNP veteran criticises reappointment of Ranil as party leader

By Norman Palihawadana

UNP stalwart Gamini Jayawickrama Perera yesterday criticised the decision to reappoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as the party leader.

His appointment would only strengthen the government, Perera said.

“There is no need to talk too much about him. We cans see what Ranil has done to the party. The government will benefit from this appointment.”

Perera said that it would be extremely difficult for the UNP to make a comeback and those surrounding Wickremesinghe did not have the best interest of the party at heart.

Former minister John Amaratunga said what was left for everyone to do was to see how things would work out for the party.

At UNP Working Committee meeting on Wednesday (13) Wickremesinghe retained the party leadership. Former Galle District lawmaker Vajira Abeywardena was appointed the party Chairman.

Among other key appointments were Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Range Bandara, Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Treasurer attorney-at-law Misbah Sathar, Senior Deputy Chairman former minister D.M. Swaminathan and three Deputy Chairpersons, former ministers Sagala Ratnayake, Daya Gamage and Sunethra Ranasinghe.