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UNP
from Kurunduwatte to grassroots One of the key features of these reforms would be to change the party structure to a "cadre-based" party in line with the JVP, recognising the fact that the JVP will be its main opponent at future elections. "The UNP leadership has recognised the protest vote of both conventional parties (the UNP and the SLFP) at the last elections, a high-ranking party source told The Sunday Times. "We will have to re-activate our branch organisations at grassroots level and work at the voter-base to meet this challenge," he said. The moves come in the wake of a post-mortem by the UNP's working committee following the party's electoral defeat at the April 2 parliamentary elections. This was followed by a group calling themselves " The Reformists" meeting their leader on Thursday and demanding changes. The Reformists group was spearheaded by former Minister Milinda Moragoda, widely considered a right-hand man of the former Prime Minister. Others included former minister and senior party trade unionist Gamini Lokuge, Uva MP Lakshman Seneviratne, Sajith Premadasa, son of former President R. Premadasa, Kandy MPs Keheliya Rambukwella and Tissa Attanayake and Galle MP Hemakumara Nanayakkara. The Reformists called for 'new faces' to be introduced to the top-level of party administration and that the younger members be given a bigger role in the future. According to party insiders, some Reformists had even asked for a change of the party leadership, while others had called for the UNP to join in on a National Government with the PA. Reforms of the party's trade unions and changes in the party's other two top posts, those of Chairman and Secretary were also discussed. The party leader's all-powerful role is expected to be whittled down in the new reforms to be introduced tomorrow, with the leader playing more of a review role ensuring that targets are met by the decentralised new party structure. One of the moves to clean up the image of the party which took a battering after just two years in office would be to call in outsiders to investigate violations of the party's Code of Ethics by UNP members, and for the members themselves to waive their legal rights in such cases. This would effectively provide the party hierarchy powers to rid the party of corrupt members and those who have been engaged in unlawful activities such as thuggery without the member going to court. Outsiders would be called from professional bodies such as the OPA, party sources said. Former Tourism Minister Gamini Lokuge who took part in the discussions told The Sunday Times the original party was a 'Kurunduwatte (Cinnamon Gardens - or elite) party', and went on to become a party that had the backing of the rural voter. "We have now returned to becoming an elitist party". Mr. Lokuge said Mr. Wickremesinghe was receptive to their proposals, although there was reservations about appointing a political person to the powerful General Secretary post. He had cited the late Gamini Atukorale as an example to say that after he was named General Secretary he was defeated in his own seat. Another suggestion was to have a non-political Administrative Secretary, Mr. Lokuge said. Party sources said any suggestions for joining the PA in a National Government should be a collective party decision, though they conceded that some members were toying with the idea of joining the new UPFA individually. These sources added that there was no immediate likelihood of the issue being taken up in view of there being no invitation by the UPFA to the UNP to form a National Government. In the revamp of the party among those who are tipped to be appointed to various positions are High Commissioner Rosey Senanayake. She has asked for an extension of her post in Malaysia until July due to studies of her children. An extension has been granted. Ms. Senanayake is tipped to head the women's front of the UNP known as Lakwanitha and is expected to be appointed to other positions in the party. |
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