"UNP battered by party constiution and symbol" - Former MP Ruwan Wijewardene

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Former parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene addressing a media briefing at the UNP headquarters in Sirikotha today said;

"Two practical problems arose this time. They are the constitution and the symbol. According to the party's constitution members of another party cannot obtain membership. That is one problem. The other problem is the symbol. If the symbol of the elephant is given to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, then the UNP cannot contest under that symbol for five years. Sajith Premadasa is a young leader. Several of our young politicians are on his side. We do not have any need to fight with them. We should unite. We haven't closed the doors of the UNP for Sajith Premadasa. We will continuously hold discussions to resolve this problem. I feel that this issue would be resolved before the nomination list is prepared."

He further continued to say;

"If we can resolve both these problems through discussions, we can move forward together without any issues. If we divide ourselves, then we will have to contest the election as two separate political forces. There is an advantage for us in that. We can unite after the election. That will happen."

Meanwhile former MP UNP, Lakshman Kiriella said;

"The legal issues that have been brought forward against the Samagi Jana Balawegaya is a blatant lie. It is the government that wants to break the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. The message that we receive from the public is for us to get together and defeat this government. It is the unity that matters at this point than the symbol. We have also got the news that they are ready to let go of the swan symbol without any condition. Therefore, we hope that that wish would come true. We would like to tell Ranil Wickremesinghe to give his support to this alliance that was brought about amidst a lot of difficulties. People are waiting until we make peace."

Former Governor, Attorney-at-Law Maithri Gunaratne also commented on the matter;

"It is very clear that when the thieves are not being taken in for Sajith Premadasa's list. The other list is trying to send the thieves back to parliament. We would like to tell the UNP and Ranil Wickremesinghe to try and get together if possible this time around. If you can't join, then don't ever think that this alliance led by Sajith Premadasa will be inconvenienced. A decision has been taken to make him the prime minister of this country. Why are they doing things and pulling the leg? Or are they carrying out someone else's agenda?"