|
|
 |
 |
|||
The UNP
Vikalpa group said yesterday that they will mount pressure on the UNP
party members to democratise the UNP by changing the present 1995 UNP
constitution, as they want their party to win the forthcoming general
elections. The
dissidents in a press conference said that they had set up an institution
called the "Centre for Democratic Action" which they said was
the first step towards the new direction. They
stayed that they want the party constitution changed as it vests
dictatorial powers on its leader while reducing inner party democracy.
Wijeypala Mendis who is the Chairman of the Foundation said his challenge
to UNP leader for leadership of the party in February was rejected by Mr
Wickremesinghe. The
Opposition Leader had replied in his letter that according to Section 8.1
of the Party constitution the position of the leader has to fall vacant
for another leader to be elected. The rebel
group stated that the UNP party constitution of 1995 which is an amended
version of the 1982 constitution vests immense powers on their leader to
elect members of the party from the Chairman and the executive to other
pradeshiya party leaders. They
expressed concern regarding the opposition leader's continuation of power
despite UNP's defeat in several elections. The rebel
group further stated that they would conduct lectures to educate their
membership about the previous party constitutions and the present
constitution to establish inner party democracy. The UNP
leadership was also criticized of their actions of bringing down the
British Conservative Party.
|
|
Contact Information: Send
mail to