Sri Lanka's main opposition party to go grassroots

In a novel concept Sri Lanka's main opposition party United National party (UNP) has commenced a program to popularize the party at grassroots level.

Parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa, whose name was proposed to be the party Deputy Leader, told reporters on Tuesday that he wants to adopt a new political approach to retain the UNP as the major political party in the country.

The UNP which was criticized by majority of its executive members stressed the need of changing its present leadership and making Premadasa as the new deputy leader. But UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe has overlooked the proposal and appointed a committee to study the reform of the party.

"The UNP should criticize the government in a constructive dialogue," Premadasa said.

Premadasa, who is the son of late President R. Premadasa killed by Tamil Tiger rebels in May 1993, said the new political approach of the party need to empower its supporters at grassroot level instead of those clad in suites.

Premadasa, who has initiated a program called "Jathika Jeewaya" (Life to nation), said under this novel move party should criticize its political opponents when they do something wrong but need to support in issues of national interest.

Meanwhile, the final report of the committee to look into party reforms, scheduled to be handed over to the party leader on Tuesday, will be delayed as its members have submitted fresh proposals.

According to committee chairman Joseph Michael Perera, the committee has received over 1,500 proposals from various groups representing all levels of the party membership.

Source: Xinhua