UNP cannot win without Sajith Premadasa as the leader - Ashoka Abeysinghe

Colombo (News1st) - Former Deputy Minister Ashoka Abeysinghe says there must be a change in the UNP leadership prior to upcoming parliamentary elections. Addressing a media briefing Abeysinghe noted that the UNP will contest the upcoming election under a broad alliance and that they are yet to reach a final decision on the symbol under which they will contest. He noted that they have been agitating for a change in the party leadership for quite some time adding that they would be able to win the election if this change takes place. Abeysinghe added that Sajith Premadasa should be named as the leader of the UNP and it's Prime Ministerial candidate. He went onto note that he had been advocating for this change since 2010 and as a result lost many opportunities within the party. The former deputy minister believes that at this time the UNP should listen to it's party members and bring about the change that the party members are calling for. The former MP noted that a change in leadership is the only option the UNP has of shedding its image as a party of foreigners and reinventing themselves as a party of the locals. When questioned what would happen if Ranil Wickremesinghe continues to remain as the leader, Abeysinghe stated that the UNP will definitely loose. He went onto state that if the party's manifesto for the upcoming election is prepared by the likes of Sajith Premadasa it will be accepted by the entire country. Touching on the economy of the country Abeysinghe stated that entrusting the country to the former administration (Rajapaksa) would be similar to issuing a license for them to steal.