Six new UNP electorate organizers

COLOMBO (News 1st) -The United National Party appointed six new electorate organizers. The appointments were made at Temple Trees today (February 11). Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe presided over the event. UNP Parliamentarian Kavinda Jayawardhena was appointed as the Negombo electorate organizer. Former Deputy Minister Lalith Dissanayake was appointed as the new UNP electorate organizer for Aranayaka. Former SLFP Central Provincial Councillor Thilina Bandara Tennakoon was appointed as the electorate organizer for Pathadumbara. Manjula Bandara was appointed electorate organizer for Wariyapola. Udaya Wijenayaka was appointed electorate organizer of Hiriyala. Veteran musician Rookantha Gunathilaka was appointed electorate organizer of Dambadeniya. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of UNP addressed the gathering. He said that they have created the Democratic National Front. The DNF was getting prepared for the fight. He stressed that if the freedom of this country is to be upheld, and democracy is to be protected and if the judiciary is to be preserved, only the Democratic National Front had the means to do so. He also added that if the organizers do not to work accordingly action will be taken against them. Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, General Secretary of UNP said that the vacancies due to the restructuring process are to be filled. The decisions will be taken by the working committee. When a journalist asked how many SLFP members would be joining to form the national government Akila Viraj mentioned that there will be people from SLPP as well as from SLFP. He added that there won't be 48 ministerial portfolios and it would be a little higher than 30. Newly appointed, UNP Organizer for Dambadeniya, Rookantha Gunathilake added that he would be fully occupied as a politician and would use his powers for the well being of the public. When a journalist inquired about his politically painful history he noted that its been nearly 16 years after those events and he is ready to move on. Lalith Dissanayake, UNP Organizer of Aranayake noted that there wasn't much of a difference in policies that inspire both UNP and SLFP. He supported his idea by referring to Madam Sirimavo's proposal to abolish the executive presidency and its acceptance by UNP. He also added that the SLFP accepted the free trade policy introduced by J.R. Jayawardene. "There is no difference between the two parties. We are going to move forward by strengthening democracy." he concluded. Meanwhile, a group supporting the former UNP organizer for Negombo, Royce Fernando protested against the appointment of UNP MP Kavinda Jayawardhena as the organizer for Negombo. One of the protesters who was against the replacement of the organizer shared his views with the journalists. He stressed that when an important decision regarding the party is taken management should consult municipal councillors as well. He added that what is expected from the PM was employment opportunities, houses, and his help against the victims of political revenge. Yet the outcome was quite the opposite. He also said that they wanted an organizer from Negombo itself. "Just like a Prime Minister was appointed through the back door they have appointed an organizer through the back door."  He added. MP Kavinda Jayawardena, UNP Organizer for Negombo responding to the situation said that he will seek the support of the former organizer. He said that he would get the support from all organizers. He went on to say that they will have the support from the members of the opposition, Pohottuwa, JVP and other independent groups as well. He added that they have a strategy to take UNP to the top.