The much awaited UNP Working Committee meeting, which was to decide on the leadership issue, ended peacefully

yesterday evening with an eight-member committee being appointed to examine changes to the party constitution, with a view to winning elections.

Informed sources told The Island last night that the meeting held at Srikotha began with the UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake placing on record a motion by a section of the UNP, for a change in the leadership and their proposal to appoint a senior leader and a new leader along with a strong committee to run the party.

The Working Committee then unanimously appointed an eight-member team comprising Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, Tissa Attanayake, John Ameratunga, Lakshman Kirialle, Renuka Herath, S. B. Dissanayake, Sajith Premadasa and Lakshman Seneviratne to examine possible changes to the party constitution, that could accommodate the rebel group’s demands.

The Committee was asked to submit its recommendations to a special meeting of the Working Committee scheduled for March 23.

The sources said that UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking on the occasion, recalled his contribution and sacrifices for the sake of the party. While noting that UNP membership had increased under his leadership, he had admitted to there being setbacks, some of which were beyond his control.

Lakshman Seneviratne who moved a verbal no confidence motion on Wickremesinghe at Monday’s Parliamentary Group, had several months ago proposed the creation of a senior leader’s post to get Wickremesinghe to give up the leadership post.

Vocal in their support for Seneviratne’s motion were members such as Ranjith Maddumabandara, Johnston Fernando, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Thalatha Athukorale, Ranga Bandara, Sajith Premadasa and S. B. Dissanayake.

Meanwhile, speculation was rife that the group wanting a change in the party leadership are promoting UNP Deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya for the post of Acting Leader, as they have plans for a different leader in the long term.

According to the UNP constitution, the party leader can be removed only if two thirds of the Working Committee approves of such a move, which has also to be ratified by the annual convention.

Some members of the party, who do not aspire for plum positions, commented that the present composition of the Working Committee and the difficult task of obtaining a two thirds majority to change the party constitution means, Wickremesinghe would live to fight another day.

If Wickremesinghe goes, deep divisions would emerge and the party could split into several strong factions, that could pose a greater threat than the present rebel group, they added.