UNP suspends Sajith and 98 others

SJB leaders vow to challenge WC decision

The United National Party (UNP) on Friday suspended from is membership its Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and 98 others for contesting the forthcoming general election with a different coalition and symbol.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s Working Committee after party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe read out a statement giving reasons why the members who had formed their own Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) needed to be suspended for violating the party constitution.

In his statement, Mr. Wikremesinghe said the UNP built the country and whether in government or opposition, the primary duty of the party was to safeguard the country.

He told the Sunday Times after the meeting that Mr. Premadasa was not the Deputy Leader of the party after March 31st as he had not asked for an extension of his term, and that the UNP members who had formed the SJB were given permission only to negotiate an alliance. They went against the UNP Working Committee decision and also agreed to a symbol (telephone) against the party symbol (elephant).

Those who were suspended were not invited for the meeting which was attended by some 30 members of the party’s highest decision-making body.

Among those suspended were former cabinet ministers Lakshman Kiriella, Mangala Samaraweera, Thalatha Atukorale, Ranjit Madduma Bandara, Gayantha Karunatillake, Harin Fernando and Sarath Fonseka.

Former Ministers John Amaratunga proposed and Vajira Abeywardene seconded the suspension of the members.

But hours later the expelled members who have now formed the Samagi Jana Balawegaya vowed to challenge the decision claiming it was illegal as the Working Committee did not have the proper majority.

SJB General Secretary Madduma Bandara said they had the support of some 40 Working Committee members and the decision taken at Friday’s WC meeting was not legal.

The suspended members have one week to appeal, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told the Sunday Times.

Mr. Premadasa was not the Deputy Leader of the party after March 31st as he had not asked for an extension of his term, and that the UNP members who had formed the SJB were given permission only to negotiate an alliance