UNP WORKING COMMITTEE APPOINTS NEW OFFICE BEARERS

The UNP Working Committee yesterday appointed Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam as the party’s General Secretary, Plantation Minister Navin Dissanayake as the National Organizer and Higher Education Minister Kabir Hashim as the Chairman.

In addition, the Working Committee appointed Minister Harin Fernando as the Communications and Propaganda Secretary, State Minister Harsha De Silva as the Treasurer, State Minister Ruwan Wijewardene as the Deputy General Secretary and Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera as the Trade Union Secretary.

The Working Committee also decided to retain Minister Sajith Premadasa as the Deputy Leader and Ravi Karunanayake as the Assistant Leader.

State Minister Ajith P. Perera said he together with several others called for a change in the party constitution in order to ensure more democracy in the party.“we stressed that there should be more democracy in the UNP especially when appointing officer bearers. We took the struggle as far as we could but will continue to fight for this change,” he said. According to Mr. Perera some members have proposed that office bearers should be elected but they have been told that a ballot is possible only when one third of the members in the working committee oppose any proposal.

Deputy Minister Wasantha Senanayake said he will monitor the party’s development and make a statement on April 30 on the appointment of new officer bearers.

Mr. Kariyawasam who was appointed as the new general secretary said he intends working with all members of the party.“i intend to work with every one as I don’t like factions,” he said.

Mr. Navin Dissanayake and Treasurer Harsha de Silva also pledged to work for the betterment of the party.

Deputy General Secretary Ruwan Wijewardene had told the Working Committee that he was willing to take up another post if it is needed.