UNP Working Committee on Thursday; ready for a vote

The United National Party (UNP) Working Committee is to meet on Thursday (26) and necessary arrangements are being made to hold an election in the event it is required to decide on the party’s presidential candidate.

Party sources have told the media that the party headquarters, Sirikotha, would be prepared to hold a vote if the need arises.

It was also reported that the four-member committee is to reveal its recommendations that day to the Working Committee as per party tradition

Meanwhile, party leader, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe following a discussion with a team of senior party loyalists had decided last night to call for a meeting of the Working Committee on Thursday and conduct a secret ballot to select the presidential candidate.

Ministers Vajira Abeywardane, Lakshman Kiriella, Ravi Karunanayake, John Amaratunga and Daya Gamage had attended the meeting with Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees.

They have proposed that the Working Committee meet on Thursday and hold a secret ballot to choose the candidate.

The proposal to hold a secret ballot at the Working Committee to select the UNP’s presidential candidate was mooted by party Deputy Leader Minister Sajith Premadasa.