Get rid of ‘reformist’ deadwood in the UNP



(October 08, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The so called reformists have been demanding that UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe be replaced with a new face. If one analyses facts it would be interesting to find out how many of these so called ‘reformists’ have won their respective electorates in the elections since 1994. I believe it is very few indeed.

Therefore it would be only fair that these people are replaced if the UNP is to have any chance at future elections. In fact these people should be thankful to former President J. R. Jayewardene who introduced the proportional representation system through which they got elected to parliament.

Had elections been held under the first past the post system these ‘reformists’ would have been history long before their leader.

One can only fault Ranil Wickremesinghe for standing by non performers rather than showing them the door. He has been too democratic, to his own detriment, unlike his predecessors like Ranasinghe Premadasa or J. R. Jayewardene. It is indeed very unfortunate and tragic that the people of Sri Lanka do not understand or realise the value of the man.

- Praveen Kumarawadu
- Sri Lanka Guardian