MPs request RW to hand over party leadership

Colombo (News 1st): The UNP Leadership and the Opposition Leadership was the main topic of discussion in several media briefings and meeting today. Speaking at a meeting in Galle today (November 23) MP Manusha Nanayakkara noted that when they stepped into politics and even when they were schooling, the leader of the party was Ranil Wickremesinghe. He believes that changes must be made, and everything should be renewed. MP Nanayakkara noted that over 5.5 million people of the nation believed in Sajith Premadasa's vision and then even the UNP should change and go forward. He said along with that change, the chance should be given to this young leadership. He noted that in the upcoming general election, they should display progress and step into a victorious journey within the coming 5 years. He added that a majority of MPs from the UNP, with signatures, have requested that Sajith Premadasa be made the leader of the party and right now what should be done is the innocent party supporter should be protected, and selfish motives, deals with the government should not be made. Meanwhile, UNP MP Nalin Bandara meeting with party supporters in Watuwatte, Bingiriya today said they believe that by next week, they can strengthen the UNP, by establishing Sajith Premadasa as party leader and leader of the opposition. He added that they have handed over the document including the signatures of a majority of UNP members, to the speaker, demanding that Sajith Premadasa be appointed as the opposition leader. MP Bandara said the speaker had informed their party, that this must be issued during their parliamentary meeting. He said Ranil Wickremesinghe is a leader who boasts about democracy, and therefore, they hope to solve this matter democratically, with the consent of all parties linked to the UNP, and with the consent of the majority, to appoint Sajith Premadasa as the opposition leader by next week. UNP MP Bandula Lal Bandarigoda expressing his views regarding the matter noted that they respectfully request the leader of the UNP and the party's working committee, to handover the UNP to Sajith Premadasa and the younger generation. He said for 25 years, the youth of this party, its younger generation supported him and complied with his programs. He added that they sacrificed their lives for the United National Party, therefore, they need a clean and new leadership as the opposition leader.