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UNP
crisis: Media’s mountain of a molehill says Harrison
By
Jayashika Padmasiri & Kushali Atukorale
The United National Party yesterday accused certain
media organisations of making a mountain out of a molehill
of the party’s internal crisis.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, UNP Parliamentarian
P. Harrison said that, all political parties have their ups
and downs but, none of this is indicative of a massive crisis
that the media was attempting to portray to the people.
“Which party does not have problems? The party leadership
has appointed a committee comprising several senior members
of the party to look into the issue and see what steps could
be taken to find a solution,” Harrison said.
He called on media institutions to refrain from spreading
baseless rumours that would tarnish the image of the party
and its leader, before the people of the country.
“I am not denying that we are having some problems within
the party, but it’s not as major as most media keeps
making out,” Harrison said.
Meanwhile, UNP MP Lakshman Senevirathne, who was reported
to be among those who questioned the leadership of the UNP
and the future of the party, refused to talk of the issue.
He told The Bottom Line that, he was not aware of the committee
which was appointed to look into their problems.
“I don’t know anything about a committee. We questioned
on the future of the party, that is all. Besides, these are
matters discussed within the four walls of the party. So,
I refuse to comment on the subject,” Senevirathne added.
“We
are not trying to oust Ranil” – Rajitha
By Wilson Gnanadass
United National Party (UNP) (D) group front liner and Construction
and Engineering Services Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has
said his group is not behind a conspiracy to oust UNP Leader
Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He told The Bottom Line his group had no intention of being
part of any conspiracy as widely speculated.
Speculation was rife that a few members of the UNP (D) group,
who were all out to overthrow Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe,
were influencing some UNP MPs, to spearhead the sinister campaign
on their behalf.
Dr. Senaratne, scotching speculation said there was no truth
in the media reports that held the UNP (D) group responsible
for the present muddle the UNP was in.
“We cannot be blamed. We have no role in the conspiracy
the media is talking about. We left the party gracefully because
we could not agree with some of the policies of the party
and the leader in particular. It does not mean that we will
get involved in such a malicious conspiracy,” he said.
Meanwhile, some UNP members, on the condition of anonymity
confirmed to The Bottom Line that the UNP (D) group was in
fact involved in a conspiracy to oust UNP Leader Wickremesinghe
and grab power.
They said the anti-UNP group found the present election period
the most opportune time to organise strikes and added the
group’s intention was to either capture power or to have
a ‘puppet’ as the leader who would dance according
to their own tunes.
“We are not going to let this happen. We will resist
this and fight against this,” they said.
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