Akila: UNP membership will cease for SJB candidates
United National Party ( UNP) General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam says his party will field candidates in all 22 districts.
Here is a Q & A:
Why the UNP is fielding its own candidates whilst rivals will do so separately:
Both groups are at a disadvantage if we contest separately. That is why we are trying to unite the party. I even was ready to step down from the party’s general secretary position to get them to contest under the elephant symbol. I was ready to allow them to appoint someone of their liking as General Secretary if there were any issue with me.
I personally don’t think there is any issue with me. I know different groups are trying to divide us in order to enter parliament through national lists, become district organisers and get party positions.
As UNP General Secretary I work according to working committee decisions. I announce the decision which was made with the approval of most of the party members. Some blame our group, but we are trying to protect our party. But we behave as responsible politicians and always appeared on behalf of most of the party and working committee decision.
Yes, we officially informed the Election Commissioner that UNP is contesting in 22 electoral districts. We tried so many days to resolve issues. However, they still have a chance to join us and take a decision.
Jathika Samagi Jana Balawegaya did not even have a party symbol. Only recently it legally acquired a party symbol. It had created the party by buying a registered party “Ape Jathika Peramuna” and gave it a symbol which it acquired from another party.
List of the nominations:
“Professionals of different sectors have requested nominations from us. We have not yet finalised the list; therefore we have not decided on a date to handover nominations.
Disciplinary action against all UNP MPs:
Yes, we would be forced to take disciplinary action if any member works against the party constitution. If someone obtains membership of another party, his or her UNP membership would automatically cease.
Highlights of the UNP campaign:
We are planning to carry out our election campaign differently. Due to the current coronavirus situation, we would have to limit huge meetings and rallies. Our campaign would be more focused on preserving our party identity.
We will remind the people of the work done by the UNP government during our campaign. We will point out the difference between the UNP and the present government. We would point out the failures of this government after it took over.
The present government is unable to reduce fuel prices though global market prices have come down. But previously, we were able to reduce Rs 33 from a litre of petrol.
When will your manifesto be ready? Can you please explain the highlights of your manifesto?
We have not issued a manifesto; in future we will decide on the manifesto and what would be included in it. We will discuss with our party heads on key points that would be included in the manifesto.
A UNP victory at the parliamentary elections:
The UNP as a party is planning to get the highest number of seats. We would go from house to house and educate people and achieve our goal. From there, we would carry out our work plan to form a government. We would strengthen our party and move forward.
We cannot say anything now about the Premadasa faction. The election campaign should begin to give a comment on that. The people will decide that. Even after the campaigning starts, the situation could change momentarily. It is only during the campaign, can we say who will have a better chance.
The UNP is not concentrating on preferential votes; our goal is to bring victory to the elephant symbol. Elephant is the UNP brand name. We are carrying out our campaign to achieve victory under the elephant symbol.
Prospects of unity between the two UNP factions after parliamentary elections:
I don’t think party supporters will allow people who damage the party to join again. If a group leaves the party to contest separately, they will damage the party. Though it had not yet happened, however once the damage is done the supporters would not allow them back. Our young party leaders say if they contest separately, we will completely rebuild our party and work for the 2025 elections.