November 18, Colombo (LNW): A dispute within the United National Party (UNP) has emerged following an attempt by party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to influence the nomination of national list MPs of the New Democratic Front (NDF), LNW learned.
This morning (18), Wickremesinghe reportedly contacted Shyamala Perera, Secretary of the NDF, the political alliance through which most UNP candidates contested the 2024 parliamentary polls under the ‘gas cylinder’ symbol, seeking approval to submit two names for the party’s national list slots to the Election Commission.
However, Perera is said to have refused his request.
In a swift turn of events, Ravi Karunanayake, a prominent UNP member and one of the party’s national list candidates, personally met with Perera shortly after learning of the exchange, sources said.
Karunanayake reportedly urged Perera to formally submit his name for one of the national list MP positions. Acting in her capacity as secretary, Perera subsequently wrote to the Election Commission, officially nominating Karunanayake for one of the posts.
In her correspondence, Perera also indicated that the party would notify the commission of the second nominee in the coming days.
Consequently, the Election Commission accepted her letter, and Karunanayake’s name is now expected to be gazetted as a Member of Parliament.
Wickremesinghe is reportedly displeased with the outcome, viewing it as a challenge to his authority within the party, sources close to the matter revealed.
This development has fuelled speculation about internal divisions within the UNP, as the party navigates the aftermath of the recent general election.
