Reaffirming the close-to-absolute power vested in the position of party leader in the United National Party (UNP) Constitution, Ranil Wickremesinghe brushed aside all objections and persuaded the Working Committee to ratify his all-male choices for key party posts. Moreover, except for one appointee, the rest are all past pupils of Wickremesinghe’s alma mater, Royal College, Colombo.
Ranil
The UNP’s Working Committee, which met today effectively ratified the persons that Wickremesinghe had picked for these posts. A total of 57 members had been present at the meeting.
Accordingly, while Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa retained the posts of Leader and Deputy Leader respectively, Ravi Karunanayake was appointed as Assistant Leader, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam as General Secretary and Navin Dissanayake as National Organizer.
Former General Secretary Kabir Hashim was made the Chairman of the party and Harsha de Silva appointed as the Treasurer. In addition, Ruwan Wijewardene was appointed the Deputy General Secretary. De Silva has always been a loyal supporter of his leader while Wijewardena is Wickremesinghe’s cousin. Of all these individuals only Kariyawasam is not an old boy of Royal College.
According to party sources, the consultative committee appointed to discuss and recommend reforms for the restructuring of the party has effectively been sidelined in the process.
Ranjan Ramanayake and Joseph Michael Perera had raised objections to the appointment of Karunanayake as Assistant Leader, the latter deciding to resign from the Working Committee in protest.
Ramanayake had suggested that Karunanayake’s appointment be put on hold until such time he is cleared of having had a part in the Central Bank bond scam.
Sajith Premadasa and Navin Dissanayake had opined that it would have been better if these office-bearers were elected. However it had been pointed out that a third of the members present would have to call for such as election as per the Party Constitution.
When Kariyawasam’s name was announced and the members asked if there were objections, ‘there was visible displeasure,’ sources told Colombo Telegraph.
‘You could see it in their faces. Ajith P Perera said that perhaps the leader should ask “does anyone approve (Akila being appointed as General Secretary)?”‘
Wickremesinghe had said that the General Secretary should be a nominee of the party leader, sources added.
Jim softy / April 26, 2018
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
Jim softy / April 26, 2018
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
Jim softy / April 26, 2018
Ranjan Ramanayake’s strategy is wrong if he wants to beomce a minister. there are many thieves whio became ministers and prospective leaders. they knew how to keep the mouth shut, what to talk and when to talk. See Ravi Karunanayake. Ranil thinks former FM will be a nationalist list MP the next time.
/
Jim softy / April 26, 2018
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
Burt / April 26, 2018
Who are the prominent women in UNP / Sri Lankan politics?
Sri Lankan politics have been in the garbage for quite some times that women have avoided. This is not because they cannot handle it but they don’t want the hassle. They are better off joining the private sector.
Can you imagine a women with ability and education joining a team of 225 with 94 of them not even passing O/L. I was surprised when I heard this at the debate speech.
/
An Observer / April 27, 2018
Dear Ranil,
You have made a big mistake by offering the Asst. Leadership to an alleged fraudster.
I thought after the NCM vote you were going to reform the Grand Old Party. But you have miserably failed in it.
It appears that you have dug your own political grave. You have ruined the prospects of winning the next general election by the UNP.
What a shame that you have not taken this golden opportunity to make some radical reforms in the party.
/
Amarasiri / April 27, 2018
RE: Ranil Ensures An All-Male, Royal-Heavy ‘Top Order’ In The UNP
“Of all these individuals only Kariyawasam is not an old boy of Royal College.”
“When Kariyawasam’s name was announced and the members asked if there were objections, ‘there was visible displeasure,’ sources told Colombo Telegraph.”
Wow! Was it an Old Boys Royal College Reunion meeting where the displeasure was shown to the non-Royalist Kariawasam? They all seem to be happy with the crook Ravi Penthouse.
Go back to 1948, when the up country Tamils were disenfranchised by the racist UNP and the racist and castist Jaffna Tamils by the citizenship act. Only the left and socialist parties voted against it.
Through the grape vines, bulath vines and vettila vines…
Hitherto unknown Eelam war secret out..! -SL pioneer in investigative reporting Nandana Weeraratne reveals (Video)
‘Indian blood for Tamil Eelam’
Journalist Nandana Weeraratne considered as a pioneer in investigative journalism in Sri Lanka (SL) has revealed a secret nobody has hitherto unraveled during the 30 years old Eelam war.
That is , about 70 % of the group who fought on behalf of the LTTE in the war are not Tamils of Sri Lankan origin . They are the children of the second generation of the estate Tamils of Indian origin. A great majority of black Tiger suicide bombers were them , according to Weeraratne.
https://youtu.be/p2Pq1GEi2ks
Weeraratne is now in London to develop the documentary film entitled ‘Indian blood for Tamil Eelam’ .
/
Sinhala_Man / April 28, 2018
Many thanks for this, Amarasiri.
.
Compulsory viewing for all on this island. Didn’t even write Sri Lanka to start with – respecting what Ms Nageshwary said about the spirit in which the name is uttered.
.
Shocked? Please see the sad but rivetting 47 minute film. No, it’s not gory – it just drives the point home so well. Often we don’t click on those links, so let me repeat it:
.
https://youtu.be/p2Pq1GEi2ks
.
Nandana Weeraratne : never heard the name before. He speaks very clearly, with great compassion in Sinhalese which even many Tamils will be able to follow.
.
Next comes Ms Nageshwary. I don’t know any Tamil but the dubbing in English was excellent – except it was not realised that “few” and “a few” mean quite different things.
.
I myself was born in these hills, and still live here. Up to some years ago, the moment “Colombians” got to know where I hailed from I used to be inundated with requests for “servants from the estates”. They still ask me for “good tea”, imagining that there is some magic way in which it can be forwarded.
.
This is a story that should move any human being. What would Gauthama Buddha have said about it?
.
But I’m sure that many a “Jim softy” would triumphantly proclaim, “Didn’t I tell you about these Tamils”.
.
President Maithri ordered, “no investigation” in to all this. He wouldn’t have had a hand in this, but he knows! And the Rajapaksas! No atonement will you see from them. They’d do it all again.
.
However, what Nandana W. tells us in the clearest terms is that it is those UNP guys from D.S. Senanayake on who are the most guilty.
/
Jim softy / April 27, 2018
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
Jim softy / April 27, 2018
Another Story is Ranil has explained his grievences about his legendary love sotiries too the chief prelates too. He has a daughter and a son. Aloesius may be his son.
/
Jurassic / April 27, 2018
Indeed, a ‘stellar performance’ by liberal democrat Ranil Wickramasinghe.
/
K A Sumanasekera / April 27, 2018
Akila boy is ok
Wonder what happened to poor Sagala boy…..
Is he still living at Srikotha..
Foot note boys seem to be on the Bench.
Why.
In fact they are the ones who stood up for Dr Ranil’s other Royal mate’s Family.
While Dr Ranil was not only defending that Royal in Parliament .
But also appointed his Best Legal boys to defend the Ex Royal outside Parliament.
And even offered the ex Royal a second innings as the Captain of Yahapalana Bond Den.
Ravi boy is like an Eeel in a Billabong in Paliyagoda..
/
Native Vedda / April 27, 2018
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
–
It is a Royal Coup.
Not the Podujana Poo.
/
wannihami / April 27, 2018
Oh yes mate Native, podujana other bits, up the Right Royal @$$
/
Native Vedda / April 28, 2018
wannihami
–
“Oh yes mate Native, podujana other bits, up the Right Royal @$$”
–
You mean the Vishvakeerthi three Sinhaladhishwara, Sri Lanka Rajawansa Vibooshana Dharmadeepa Chakravarthi’s @$$.
–
Good news.
/
Ben Hurling / April 27, 2018
Native,
PODUJANA POO is more an OUTFIT run by those dropouts from that school by the sea, no?
Cheers!
/
Sarrij / April 28, 2018
N V
Good one! very appropriate!
/
K A Sumanasekera / April 28, 2018
Dear Native,
Do you know which school Akila attended.
It must have been an all boys School where Akila was a boarded student to click so well with your buddy and political Guru Dr Ranil…
BTW you weren’t a border at an all boys school too…
Were you Native?…
/
Native Vedda / April 28, 2018
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
“BTW you weren’t a border at an all boys school too… Were you Native?…”
–
I was.
However I rarely bent forward or stooped to pick up things from the floor.
–
Akila studied at University of Colombo and Law at Law College.
/
K A Sumanasekera / April 28, 2018
Dear Native,
You must have been going to sleep standing too, I guess.
Good on you mate.
What are you doing in the UNP…..
/
Fathima / April 27, 2018
Royal leadership for a royal party!
If they can deliver election wins, that’s all that matter.
/
Burt / April 27, 2018
I too don’t have a problem for the simple fact:
If your going to get screwed why not get royally crewed. This is better than trusting a Polonnaruwa biyia. :)
/
Douglas / April 27, 2018
It is said that Jesus Christ, before being crucified said: “They do not know what they are doing”. Just in the same way all these political parties and their managers do not know what they are doing. At the end our “Mother Sri Lanka” will be crucified and, I do not know whether there will be any opportunity for her to “Rise Up From The Dead”.
/
PERERA / April 27, 2018
DONT WORRY SHE WILL
DONT WORRY BE HAPPY!
/
Burt / April 28, 2018
“Just in the same way all these political parties and their managers do not know what they are doing. “
I think you got this wrong. They know what they are doing, they get elected by hook or crook come to power and then earn for seven generations in one term.
It is the voter that does not know what they are doing. They elect thieves, murderers and outright slime bags, then keep complaining and then vote them out, wait for a couple of years and start crying how good the slime bags that they voted out were.
Anyone want to clean politics in Sri Lanka go after the wealth politicians have accumulated and ask them to prove the source.
/
Justice & Fairplay / April 27, 2018
Cucumber cool despite all the nagging in his ear. (Ref photo of Ranil with his wife Maithri).
/
Sinhala_Man / April 28, 2018
Dear Justice & Fairplay,
.
Please see what Amarasiri has directed us to, above:
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Pq1GEi2ks
.
This is what I meant when I spoke of the need for clarity, and how a theme has to be developed.
/
shankar / April 27, 2018
another defeat at the 6 provincial council elections. to be held by october this year according to elections commissioner devapriya. rajapakshe juggernaut moves on.
The only way to bring up the UNP national vote by 5% to 37.5% and bring down he SLPP from 45% to 40% is to have a leadership change in the UNP.Still the SLPP will be the single largest party but the gap will be small and can be overtaken by what actions the new leader takes.Otherwise it will be the same old story with more than a 10% gap between the SLPP and the UNP.The royalists just cannot understand that their use by date is over and the people don’t consider them as the ruling elite anymore.Those days of walauwe awe is all gone now and down to earth pithy leaders are needed to motivate people to vote for them.That is whre thurstanite mahinda scores over them.
It is important that a UNP election is held of all card carrying members and new membership suspended until the election is over otherwise tre will be candidates gong around getting people to become members and paying their fees.No one should should announce their candidature to keep party unity and the members should just vote for anyone of their choice.Then we can see from the votes the popularity of all MP’s in the UNP.If a person cannot be the most popular among all UNP members how is he going to be acceptable to the people as a whole.first you must be the most acceptable in your own home before you go and ask for your neighbors vote.
Let us see how many votes the present leader gets from his own card carrying members.Then we can see whether he is the mos suitable for getting votes of others.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 28, 2018
Dear Shankar,
.
You have understood better than almost anybody else that the inner workings of the UNP must be understood before protests are organised.
.
Yes, what you have said about how it must be ensured that the sudden influx of lots of “new members” doesn’t take place. How Corbyn got elected Labour Party Leader in the UK. That, of course was not such a bad thing.
.
We don’t know who this Grusha Andrews is, but there is much information, knowledge, even wisdom in what he says. I have commented there – without taking it on myself to know everything about the UNP.
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/vacancy-notice-for-a-new-girl-friend/
.
This article is very good, and it was important to get the message across to the Public as early as possible. However, it must be checked for accuracy.
.
As this appeared I sent in a comment which may have been the very first – had it gone in. But there was something the matter with the Internet, and it didn’t appear. No, not a conspiracy just chance.
.
I there said that Kabir Hashim was at Trinity, but I find that he had started off at Royal. On the other hand, Ruwan Wijewardena, I now find was never at Royal: his Wikipedia entry tells us that. But the overall message is right: you have to be Royalist, a Loyalist or Family-who-get-on: NOT Rajiva Wijesinha.
.
If Ravi Karunanayake and Wijedasa are brought back in to the cabinet, that completes the cheating.
/
whywhy / April 28, 2018
Sinhala_Man ,
Ruwan Wijewardana entry as assistant to Akila could be a
curtain-raiser for his place in the party . How long Kabir
lasted in the position ? Now Akila and again for how long ?
Until another crisis time and another quick fix promise
to change heads ? In my memory , only Sirisena Cooray did
a wonderful job by being so enthusiastic as a General
secretary and I guess , just guess that Ruwan is brought in
to be promoted to the leadership ring . Not at all a bad plan.
Ruwan could be a good future choice . Navin and Ruwan are
good choices after Sajith’s popularity . The problem with Sajith
is his interest in the chase after populism like his father !
/
shankar / April 29, 2018
why why
“only Sirisena Cooray did
a wonderful job by being so enthusiastic as a General
secretary”
too enthusiastic.He killed lalith athulathmudali and thought that premedasa will be happy.Preme was furious and shouted,’you fool.now everyone is going to think i did it”.
/
whywhy / April 29, 2018
Shankar ,
I am expressing here my opinion purely based on my experience .
In the case of Sirisena Cooray , he was the most popular figure
under Premadasa . I didn’t say he was a brilliant character in the
party but at the time he did a wonderful job as party secretary
and anything else about him is only secondary. Rumours and
conspiracy theories were flying about Lalith’s killing ! Well , the
world knows , that was a period dozens of leaders lost lives in
our politics , not only Lalith ! Shankar , I like standing neutral
about party politics in our country which enables me to see only
the facts without bias and for me it is the country that matters
most . And remember , if there were leaders most ridiculed and
humiliated inside and outside the parliament , they were Prema
and Sirimavo . As for the alleged Sirisena Cooray connection to
Lalith killing , well , Sirisena is alive !
/
Robin Hood Pandey / April 27, 2018
Ranil Wickremesinghe is becoming more arrogant and also stupid like village boy Sirisena. Sirisena is already reaping the results, and Ranil also will do it very soon – if he doesn’t change. How on earth he appoint Ravi Karunanayake as assistant leader? Ranil should behave well if he wants to preserve the little available chance of him becoming the next presidential candidate. Otherwise, he can do as he like so that the people can kick him out soon.
/
The Sinopian / April 27, 2018
If the UNP was a Limited Liability Company the shareholders would have by now filed papers for liquidation.
/
Steve / April 27, 2018
Royal heavy top order may be acceptable provided they can reach out to the grassroot level voter. Disappointing not to see even a single female being selected. Is there a message ??
/
hancho pancha / April 27, 2018
The picture appears like he is getting an earful for appointing Penthouse Ravi for the deputy leadership.
/
Percy / April 27, 2018
A right Royal f….k up! RWS philosophy is to share the spoils with his old school mates and bugger the rest.! He will have to pay a heavy price for his favouritism.
/
Sarrij / April 28, 2018
P.
Suicidal leader and a suicidal party.
What a combination?
Time for a “political” psychiatrist’s help.
Surely, not the people’s help?
Stupid UNP !
/
Real Revolutionist / April 27, 2018
Or boy!
Rosy’s hopes dashed?
Where’s female & trans representation?
/
vince / April 27, 2018
ARE THERE NOT 2 ?
/
Words / April 27, 2018
I wonder why Shyamon Jayasinghe.. has not been given a post??!!!
/
Sumika / April 27, 2018
Well finally the white sadhu look has been exposed but Maithree did bring in 25% quota for women at local government.
/
whywhy / April 27, 2018
Dozens of election defeats and dodging presidential elections has given Ranil
good survival tactics in failures . He seems to believe in DEAF , DUMB AND
BLIND leadership is the most fitting to the country and his party men approve
this vision of him . JRJ didn’t waste a minute after 70’s humiliating party defeat
to fight for his position in the party to become the next leader and he stopped
only at becoming the leader of the opposition and leading it to the mammoth
victory in the next 77 election and he sailed through to the two rounds of his
time by hook or crook by following Sirimavo+ N M methods ! There’s no point
to continue blaming only Ranil . THERE IS SIMPLY NO LEADERSHIP ASPIRANTS
IN THE PARTY AND ONLY BOOT LICKERS WHO BELIEVE IN LICKING . Ranil has
succeeded to remain in leadership by weakening the party as a strategy so that
the party can not afford a struggle for LEADERSHIP CHANGE . IT IS STILL NOT
VERY CLEAR WHO WAS THE MASTERMIND BEHIND FISHING MY3 OUT TO GO
AGAINST MARA CAUSING A SPLIT IN THE SLFP WHICH GAVE A LIFE TO RANIL.
But what is clear is the country is in chaos and Ranil benefits from it both inside
the party and outside .
/
Sinhala_Man / April 28, 2018
Dear “whywhy”,
.
I agree with most of what you say, except your saying that there are “no leadership aspirants”.
.
How often have we heard this self-fulfilling cry?
.
“shankar” above, seems to know how things work in the UNP. Study his comment, please.
/
whywhy / April 28, 2018
Sinhala_Man ,
Thank you for your reply . Please note that ” no leadership aspirants “
doesn’t stand there isolated . It stands connected to what you agree
with . If you need further assistance to the point , REAL LEADERSHIP
ASPIRANTS have to stand up and lead the change as in the case of
JRJ . I have referred to JRJ in my comment. It is not only about how
things work , but also about how things are made to work .I read many
comments here and for your information dear Sinhala_Man , I am rich
enough with my knowledge and experience to make decisions and
predictions about politics , theology and a few other studies .Everyone
has his own way of looking at issues and in the case of Ranil , it is now
about stay put or leave . Only two options ! You can’t have both . So , I
say my point , RESPECTFULLY step aside ! You have the right to disagree
but the truth is PEOPLE KEEP REJECTING HIM .
/
Henry Fernando / April 27, 2018
This is obstinacy of the highest degree, superseding the proverbial donkey who is accepted as an incorrigible epitome. What have these Royal buddies contributed to the welfare of the poor in our country? on the contrary they must be enjoying all possible perks from the coppers of the poor. we are constrained to imply that a different political game plan is in the offing. This type of arrogance is not at all acceptable. What are you, the UNP caucus waiting for ? Remember you are elected by the poor people of our country you cannot dilly dally with the solemn promise you have given to the people , you have to honour them. This is not the time for ‘one man show’, who ever who is trying to safeguard one’s own interests must be shown the door. At this crucial stage PM must understand that he is the problem . As keen observers and well wishers of good governance we see who is doing what. He cannot wash his hands and say I am innocent of the CB bond issue. It is haunting you, your deafening silence is in the air, people hear it. We wish to see you come clean with not even circumstantial evidence for aiding and abetting such a horrendous misconduct. In this time of uncertainty you have to work collectively with UNP parliamentary group and not with your friends and not with your privileged political opponents either as they themselves want to extricate themselves from being brought before the Law and PM appears to be their saviour, what a betrayal and is this the democracy UNP is boasting about, you have let down the poor and today Democracy is poorer, it is clearly demonstrated by UNP leadership.
/
Park / April 27, 2018
I thought I will never say this, but its time to request the back benchers to leave UNP and start a new party and request the young SLFP MPs to join them. This new party can win election. This is possible as Mahinda, his family, Maithree, his family, JO MPs, UNP seniors all are tainted. Its time SL looks for new young leaders.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 28, 2018
Dear Park,
.
There is general agreement among those commenting.
.
You’re being more constructive than the others.
.
I can well imagine the reluctance with you have reached this conclusion.
/
Unreal / April 28, 2018
Dear Sinhala_Man, Isn’t there something amiss in your sentence, ‘I can well imagine the reluctance with you have reached this conclusion’. Was that an oversight, or, am I incorrect!
/
Sinhala_Man / April 28, 2018
Thanks, “Unreal” for pointing out my carelessness.
.
“I can well imagine the reluctance with WHICH you have reached this conclusion.”
/
Unreal / April 28, 2018
I wasn’t pointing out. I regret if that came out that way. I was only drawing your attention.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 30, 2018
No, no, Unreal.
.
You are too good for me to ever be aggrieved with the way you put something across.
.
Let’s hope that this little exchange persuades other readers to look again at what Park said. He’s very right. We need a new set of young leaders.
/
Azam / April 27, 2018
Right Royal mess
/
Upul / April 27, 2018
Why are people not concentrating on the new faces Harsha, Navin, Haren, Ruwan- they outnumber the old guys and have key posts.
/
Isharath / April 27, 2018
Who cares? Let Ranil appoint all his family and I don’t care, if they can rule the country right – After all this is for just a party. We have had been under a ruling that appointed family members to ministries and public offices after getting elected yet did not rule right.
Had we challenged during that time, we would not have been in this mess today.
/
PERERA / April 27, 2018
AND HE LET A KNOWN ARMED(TOY PISTOL IT MAY HAVE BEEN BUT STILL A LOOKALIKE WEAPON ) THUG TO BE APPOINTED BY A UNP LED COUNCIL.
SHAME SHAME MR SLUMBER.
/