Ranil Wickremasinghe will continue to hold the leadership of Sri Lanka's major opposition United National Party (UNP) despite the objections by the pro-reformist group led by deputy leader Sajith Premadasa, the party's Working Committee which met Wednesday at the party headquarters in Sirikotha, Pitakotte has decided.
The UNP General Secretary addressing the media following the Working Committee meeting said there was no change in the party leadership and when the term of the current leader is completed the position can be contested.
Meanwhile, local media reports said the UNP working committee has decided to take disciplinary action against pro-reformist MPs Rosy Senanayake, Sujeewa Senasinghe and Budhika Pathirana for speaking against the party leadership.
"We have decided to seek an explanation from UNP Parliamentarian Rosie Senanayake regarding the statement made by her claiming that the Working Committee was illegal and it will be decided afterwards as to whether action will be taken against her," local media quoting Attanayake said.
However, the move to take action against the rebel MPs has been thwarted by the intervention of deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya, the Daily Mirror said in an exclusive report.
The party leadership had reportedly issued warnings to MP's Sujeewa Senasinghe and Buddhika Pathirana for misconduct. The Working Committee was reportedly of the opinion that the MPs had violated party discipline.
Attanyake speaking to Ada Derana has said that the party from now on will strictly implement the laws under the party constitution against those who violate discipline within the party.
The pro-reformist group held a massive rally at the Viharamahadevi Park Wednesday to protest the Wickremasinghe's leadership.
The rally, originally planned to be held outside the Sirikotha was moved to Viharamahadevi Park following a last-minute court order against holding the rally near the party headquarters.
The organizers accused the party leader Wickremasinghe of making an underhand deal with the government to scuttle the protest.
The reformists say it has been proven that from the past several elections that the present government has no challenge from the opposition under Wickremasinghe's leadership and removing Wickremasinghe from the leadership is the first step to remove the present government from power.
The group proposes that UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe remain as the Opposition Leader while Jayasuriya be appointed as the party leader.
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