‘No move by Ranil to give up leadership’

Despite announcements by the Sajith Premadasa faction of the UNP of Karu Jayasuriya being pushed to lead the party and Jayasuriya reportedly responding positively, UNP leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe in a statement only directed Jayasuriya to unite the party and had not hinted of any move to give up leadership, sources close to Wickremesinghe disclosed.

They said Wickremesinghe has viewed the Premadasa faction proposal in two ways and has reportedly agreed to direct Jayasuriya to unite the party. However, Wickremesinghe now overseas has stressed that he was elected as the leader unanimously by the Working and Executive Committee recently.

Wickremesinghe has also stressed that the unity of the party was paramount before thinking to change the leadership, a matter that had to be discussed at Executive and Working Committee level to reach a consensus. Meanwhile, the Premadasa faction insists that Wickremesinghe quits as leader to pave the way for Jayasuriya to lead and unite the party.