Former Minister and Presidential Advisor A. H. M. Azwer said that supporters of the UNP have expressed concern over the failure of party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint a single Muslim to its working committee.

Azwer, former veteran UNPer said that this is how Ranil Wickremesinghe shows gratitude to Muslims who have contributed in a big way to the party.

He recalled that when the late J. R. Jayewardene was the President he appointed Dr M. C. M. Kaleel as the Chairman of the party and he was succeeded by A. C. S. Hameed, and later appointed M. H. Mohamed to the post while A. R. M. A. Cader and Noushad Masheed served as Asst Secretary during the period when Gamini Athukorala was General Secretary.