The Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group of the United National Party (UNP) have decided to appoint a special political committee with full powers to take all decisions of the party,
Accordingly, the party at the meeting of the Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group held Saturday at Temple Trees has elected a 12-member politburo to finalize internal reforms and restructure the party and take forward actions.
Minister Gayantha Karunathilake told the media after the meeting that the politburo recommend new party office-bearers and decide on the future actions of the party.
The new politburo will comprise 12 parliamentarians, 10 of whom were elected by secret ballot by the UNP Working Committee and Parliamentary Group.
Ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Navin Dissanayake, Gayantha Karunathilake, Harin Fernando, and Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, State Ministers Ruwan Wijewardene, Eran Wickramaratne, and Ajith P. Perera, Deputy Minister J.C. Alawathuwala, and Members of Parliament Nalin Bandara and Asoka Priyantha comprise the Special Political Council.
The two UNP deputy leaders Ravi Karunanayake and Sajith Premadasa were appointed to the 12-member committee as ex officio members.
The new leadership committee is expected to finalize party reforms by 30 April.
The current UNP office-bearers will continue in office until the end of April, until the politburo recommends a set of new officials to be elected by the Working Committee.
According to views and suggestions received for the reorganization of the party, actions to be taken and implemented will be informed to the Working Committee and parliamentary group in the future.