Deputy Leader of Sri Lanka main opposition to oppose moves to extend the mandate of incumbent leader

Members of Sri Lanka's major opposition United National Party (UNP) faction led by the Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa say they will oppose a proposal at the party general assembly to extend the mandate of the incumbent leader for six years.
According to the pro-reform faction sources, a party working committee proposal to amend the party constitution to extend the mandate of the party leader and other senior officials up to six years will be moved in the general assembly scheduled to be held on December 01. Under the present constitution, bearers of senior posts are needed to be elected annually. At the last year's election, Sajith Premadasa faction unsuccessfully bid to oust the incumbent leader Ranil Wickremasinghe and the chaos that followed the election damaged the party headquarters Sirikotha. UNP hierarchy has taken measures to avoid such circumstances this year, UNP sources say. General Secretary of UNP Tissa Attanayake earlier said that 5,100 members would participate in the UNP general assembly scheduled to be held on December 01.