"UNP needs a new leader" - Non Cabinet Minister Ajith Perera

COLOMBO (News 1st): Convening a media briefing in Colombo today (June 14) Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera said that while under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's leadership of the UNP for 25 years that he rendered a great service to both the country and the party. He further said that however, it is time that the country and the supporters of the party need a new leader. The Non-Cabinet Minister said that the reason for him to be making such a public statement is because the people of the country should know the internal discussions of the party. Perera added that since there is an upcoming Presidential election that an effective Presidential candidate should be appointed. Responding to an inquiry made by a journalist on whether a fair and just decision will be made on this regard since there were several issues about the leadership of the country, the Non Cabinet Minister said that it is not the leaders who make decisions on this type of matter but the members who represent their rights and ideas. He continued to say that decisions regarding the party cannot be taken single-handedly and that the general public has already made their decision on the matter. Perera urged the public to not panic since their decision is already communicated to the parliamentarians and the working committees. This statement made by Non-cabinet minister Ajith P. Perera, regarding the party and the people of this country, will not raise an issue with the general public. However, the people who are constantly reminded of such statements made by the minister in the past, will no doubt raise an eyebrow. The public are well aware that MP Ajith Perera was not satisfied with the deputy ministerial position he received following his active role in the 52-day political turmoil. MP Ajith P.Perera who expressed various views publicly, only became silent after he received the position of a non-cabinet minister. There is no issue in putting the people first when making decisions. However, Minister, Will the general public approve statements and decisions that are based on personal privileges? In response to this statement, former General Secretary of the UNP Tissa Attanayake said that the Non-Cabinet Ministers statement on restructuring the party has some truth. He continued to say that this change and restructuring means that the party needs new energy and a new leader. He continued to say that the UNP working committee members, the executive council and the UNP MPs should make a proper decision on the matter and that if the decision is not taken by October this year that it will, in turn, affect the party adversely. Attanayake further said that this should not be limited to speech and he added that he believes that the party should implement this decision and fulfil hopes and expectations of all party supporters.