UNP cannot win upcoming elections with the current leadership - UNP MPs

Colombo (News1st) - After meeting with the Prime Minister on Wednesday (April 25th), a group of  UNP backbenchers appeared on the Newsline program. UNP MP Ananda Aluthgamage stated during the program that the rank and file of the party demanded a clear change through the local government election and that their aim is to bring about this change within the party. UNP MP Heshan Withanage commenting on the matter said that the people of the country have begun to reject the party as it has not been able to change with the times, he noted that the party reforms should be genuine and not done in order to deceive the general public. When questioned on what changes they are attempting to make within the party, Aluthgamage noted that it is essential that the UNP find a leader who can ensure the UNP's victory at the next Presidential election, especially because the party did not field a presidential candidate during the past 2 presidential elections.  He also noted that he personally feels that the party will not be able to win the upcoming elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. MP Withanage stated that the UNP will face a tough challenge if they head into the upcoming elections without implementing a proper reform process and added that the "Sajith Premadasa factor" would play a key role in the success of the party at both the upcoming Provincial council and Presidential elections. He added that there is a group strangling the party from within and that it is imperative that the party be freed from their clutches. Responding to a question on how such a group could benefit from such actions, UNP MP Chaminda Wijeysiri noted that it is unclear to them as well, but added that this group is greedy for power and positions and has no regard for the plight of the common man. MP Withanage also responded to the statement by stating that most of the members of this group are appointed through the national list so regardless of the party's performance in elections, this group gets to keep their positions. WATCH VIDEO