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Dissidents split on Ranil’s posts
By Santhush Fernando
The dissident group of the UNP which has called for reforms in the party's leadership has split with one of the factions demanding the removal of incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe as Opposition Leader in addition to being asked to quit as party leader.

The faction led by Kalutara district MP Sarath Ranawaka is awaiting a response from the ‘moderate’ faction of Dr. Rajitha Seneratne and Ravi Karunanayake regarding an assurance that Mr. Wickremesinghe would step down from the post of Party Leader.

Mr. Ranawaka told The Sunday Times that his group would initiate action in the party from tomorrow to get Mr. Wickremesinghe to step down from the post of Opposition Leader.

Mr. Ranawaka claimed that his group had obtained letters from 10 MPs who are demanding the Party Leader convene the Parliamentary Group meeting according to the Party Constitution and subsequently remove Mr. Wickremesinghe as Opposition Leader.

He said his group was trying to get the Parliamentary Group convened as it was only this body which can take a decision with regard to the post of Opposition Leader. Mr. Ranawaka’s group is charging the ‘moderates’ with foul play and dragging the crisis.

Earlier, although the dissidents wanted Mr. Wickremesinghe removed as the Opposition Leader, a compromise was worked out by back-stage negotiators where Mr. Wickremesinghe would remain as Opposition Leader and deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya would become party leader under a new structure which included a supreme leadership council. The question of Mr. Wickremesinghe's security was also a factor that had been taken into consideration.

However, even during last Wednesday’s meeting at the residence of Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, the ‘moderates’ came under heavy fire from its rival group the ‘hardliners’ who accused the ‘moderates’ of accepting bribes.
The Ranawaka-led hardline faction has charged that although the ‘moderates’ promised a final solution at last week’s Bangkok discussions, they had later put it off for later discussions in Colombo.

The group which states that it will go ahead as the ‘Independent Group’ within the UNP, further said it consists of around 20 members with another 20 ‘moderates’ pledging their support. The move by the rank and file to convene local government, provincial council and district level meetings was also condemned as an act to protect the Party Leader.

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