The UNP Reforms Committee has proposed that the party leader should no longer have the authority to appoint all members of the party Working Committee.

Media Spokesman of the UNP, Gayantha Karunathillake MP, addressing a news conference in Colombo, said that the Reforms Committee headed by Joseph Michael Perera MP, had suggested that the number of Working Committee members be reduced from 99 to 86 and only 20 of them be appointed by the leader. The other 66 members, it had been proposed, should include a representative from each district and the various organisations within the party.

"The Reforms Committee was still in the process of receiving suggestions and the door was still open for those who cannot appear in person to submit their views in writing, he said. "All proposals received by the Reforms Committee including its recommendations will have to be ratified by the Working Committee and Executive Committee. Thereafter, a new constitution will be drafted. It will be presented for approval to the National Convention, scheduled to be held in August."

He said that last week’s IIFA awards ceremony in Colombo was a setback rather than a benefit to Sri Lanka. The Mahinda Rajapaksa government had spent hundreds of millions in tax payers’ money, but there was no tangible benefit to the country, its people or the local film industry.

The government was busting up the country’s resources on entertainment, while the vast majority of people did not have three square meals a day, Karunathillake said.

Even the recent reduction in taxes on vehicles had, he said, benefited only the super rich, while the prices of motor cycles and three wheel taxis, had come down only marginally.

Karunathillake said that it was high time the government stopped marketing the war victory and delivered on its pledges made during the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.