The much hyped elections to office-bearers, including the leadership of the UNP, will not take place today as expected, party sources told the Sunday Times.
This is because, unless incumbent Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is unanimously re-elected as party leader for the ensuing year by the party's highest policy making body, the Working Committee which meets at 12.30 pm today, will need to fix another date for the Electoral College which includes the party's Members of Parliament to have a vote. Party sources said that in such an event, the election is likely on December 21.
Co Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya has declared his intention to challenge Leader Wickremesinghe with the backing of a faction headed by the other Co Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa. Neither side has shown much interest in reaching a compromise formula, as heavy lobbying was taking place during the week by both the pro-Wickremesinghe and pro-Jayasuriya factions. Nine party MPs are not in the Working Committee and therefore in the event of an election, the Working Committee will need to summon the 97 member Electoral College to choose the party Leader.
The Working Committee will also seek to fill other posts in the party tomorrow, including those of Chairman and General Secretary, unless these posts are also challenged and a vote is required.
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