The United National Party (UNP), a gigantic political party of great fame and recognition, has today fallen into a very pathetic and miserable position, owing to the egoistic and selfish leadership, said UNP stalwart and former Media Minister Imthiaz Bakeer Markar.
“Despite the dictatorial, non-charismatic leadership, there is still a tremendous following for the UNP, and they are disgusted and sad to see the pit the prestigious party has fallen into,” he said.
“We, as followers of the democratic principles enshrined in the party have come out as a new force realising the need to enkindle new hope in the minds of both, the UNP supporters in the rural sector and the Sri Lankan polity in general, with a message encouraging them not to lose heart as the Samagi Janabala Vegaya will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of all who love the country and the party.”
He was addressing the inaugural meeting organised for all SJB electoral organisers in Colombo early this week. He told the SJB Representatives that the UNP lost its internal democracy with the introduction of Life-Long Leadership in the hands of one man.
“We recall how we joyfully elected our leaders attending the meeting at Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, every year, in large numbers and by raising our hands. That opportunity was lost when the Party introduced life-long leadership in 1994. When there was strong opposition to that proposal, the term was changed to six years. That was the beginning of the dark era of the UNP. The chosen men of the leader, the powder-babies took over the Party, and then began its downfall,” he said.
Bakeer Markar said: “In its entire history, the UNP was never in the Opposition for more than five years, but for the past 26 years under Wickremesinghe, the UNP failed to be in power, let alone constitute a strong Opposition.
“We need to ask why? We need to examine it. We failed miserably to elect a State Head from the Party. We became an outdated and expired political party, unable to elect a State-Head. Why?
“First, we kick out internal democracy ……..because we drastically moved out of our much treasured fundamentals, the live-wire of our political party.
“The talented youth, who would carve the future leadership of the party along with around one-hundred MPs and Ministers who would have been the strength and future pillars of the party left the UNP owing to the actions of the current leadership.
“We formed the Samagi Jana Balawegaya because we understand and it is crystal clear that the people are fed up with the traditional politics and this party system, and have completely lost their confidence in the current political system in the country. We want to tell them they should not lose confidence because we have come with fresh ideas with a new look. And we have a vision which is compatible with their hopes and aspirations, and we have a team dedicated to carry out that vision for one and all.”
The SJB’s inaugural meeting was well attended with Party Leader Sajith Premadasa, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Patali Champika Ranawaka and several other political party leaders who joined hands with the Alliance.
Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka delivered the inaugural speech at the meeting.
- WIRUMA