Ravi Karunanayake has also agreed to handover the 'Swan' symbol.
Meanwhile, 'Anidda' in its lead story has reported that Ranil is prepared to elevate Karu. The newspaper reported that Ranil Wickremesinghe has agreed to resolve the party's internal crisis by forming a leadership council within the UNP and to appoint Karu Jayasuirya as the head of the leadership council as well the party's general secretary.
The report further states:
The appointment of Karu Jayasuriya as the General Secretary of the UNP has been discussed at a meeting between the Ranil Wickremesinghe faction and Rajitha Senaratne at Sirikotha. It is was reported that Ranil Wickremesinghe too had liked the proposal.
Current UNP general secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has also agreed to appoint Karu Jayasuriya as the party's general secretary.
The meeting was held at the party headquarters Sirikotha on Wednesday (12) followed by a discussion between MP Rajitha Senaratne and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya at the Speaker's official residence.
Accordingly, a discussion will be held between Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe regarding the proposal.
It is learnt that Rajitha Senaratne and Sajith Premadasa will also have another discussion after this meeting.
When inquired from a heavyweight representing the Sajith faction about the matter, he said that if Karu Jayasuriya is appointed as the leader, he has no objection to it. However, the formation of a leadership council and handing over the leadership of that council together with the post of general secretary could very well be a devious ploy of Ranil Wickremesinghe.
When theleader.lk inquired about these proposals, it was revealed that the Sajith faction has not agreed to any proposals even though they had received it from the Ranil faction.
“According to the unlimited powers vested in the UNP Leader through the party's constitution, he has the power to appoint a secretary as well as remove that person at any given time. As such, Karu Jayasuriya will be appointed now and soon after the election, Akila will be re-appointed, a member from the Sajith faction said.
“Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe is trying to capitalise on Sajith's popularity to get through the election and dispose him after the election. We are not going to fall for it this time,” he added.
Speaking at a press conference held at the UNP headquarters Sirikotha yesterday, MP Naveen Dissanayake said he would only contest the general election under the 'elephant' symbol.
