Sajith hits out at move to suspend UNP members

COLOMBO (News1st): Former opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has lashed out at the United National Party (UNP)'s move to suspend 99 members including himself, on charges of promoting another party. The UNP, on Friday, said it had suspended the members who had obtained nominations for the parliamentary election from other parties including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya which is led by Premadasa. "There is no right to initiate disciplinary action against any UNP member who is a member of the SJB," Premadasa told reporters on Saturday. The suspensions were imposed on deputy leader Premadasa, some electoral organizers, and certain Working Committee members, UNP legal secretary Nissanka Nanayakkara said. However, Premadasa recalled that the SJB had been founded upon a decision made by the UNP Working Committee in January this year. "Since the SJB was created upon the decision of the UNP working committee, there is no provision to take legal action against any candidate or member," he stressed. Premadasa stated that he would continue to stand by his party members and urged them to be undeterred by such actions initiated by the UNP. The UNP has informed its suspended members to show cause within seven days starting from May 27, before a final decision is reached with regard to their membership. The UNP and the SJB have submitted separate nomination lists for the upcoming parliamentary election which is scheduled to be held on June 20.