Sri Lanka's major opposition United National Party leader Ranil gains mandate for six years's leadership
Sri Lanka major opposition United National Party (UNP) general assembly today passed a proposal to amend the party constitution so as to pave way the leader of the party to hold the position for six years. Of the 6143 UNP members that participated in the48th annual congress 4978 voted in favour of the proposal while 337 voted against it. UNP national list MP and the Chairman of Bar Association of Sri Lanka Wijedasa Rajapaksa moved the proposal which was seconded by MP Ajith P. Perera. Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa was a notable person that voted against the proposal. MPs Karu Jayasuriya, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Thalatha Athukorala and Buddhika Pathirana also voted against it. Several MPs and activists of the UNP were observed leaving early after this proposal was passed. Although there were some tension at the well guarded gates since only the pass holders were allowed to enter the UNP headquarters for the annual congress, the general assembly was held peacefully. Several M...