Sri Lanka opposition party's prospective leader says special convention was a critical turning point

The prospective leader of Sri Lanka's opposition United National Party (UNP) leader, Sajith Premadasa said he believes that yesterday's special UNP convention was a 'critical turning point' in the party's political history.

Addressing a media briefing today in Colombo Premadasa said "The reformists and those who supported the democratization process of the party made multifarious sacrifices in order to achieve this end."

At the general convention held yesterday Sri Lanka's major opposition United National Party passed its constitution reformed to make changes in the leadership and the party's direction.

"We as reformers and movers of democratic change within the party are extremely happy and we are extremely vibrant about our party's future prospects," Premadasa said regarding the new constitution.

"This simple democratization change within our party has enabled the party to ensure that both our grassroots level organizational structure is strengthened and also our visionary approach of the party proposals are there to empower the people of Sri Lanka, including our party members," he said.

Premadasa acknowledged that many people made various sacrifices and fought a number of battles in order to ensure that this democratization process achieves fruition.

The charismatic parliamentarian said he is extremely grateful for all those people including the UNP MPs, provincial councilors and other party members who provided their whole-hearted unstinted support for the reforms.

Premadasa said while yesterday's event was a historic, revolutionary and path breaking event, to make it a pivotal aspect in the party's political history, the party needs to strengthen its organizational structure at the grassroots level.

He called for a nationwide task force which is mandated with ensuring the strengthening of the party's grassroots level structure.

The prospective leader proposed to set up a cadre of four million people, one hundred from each of the 40,000 villages of Sri Lanka, and also to setup a one million force of women and youth, to formulate a 'formidable grassroots level organization which will certainly propel the party for future political victories at all future elections.'

He said he is extremely positive and certain that all events that transpired yesterday will contribute constructively and positively to the future success of the UNP.