Sajith Premadasa’s group says they would not participate in any project aimed at politically strengthening UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

A senior member in Sajith’s group made this statement when inquired as to why the pro-reformists had not attended the protest organized by the UNP in Colombo on the 17th against the fuel price hike and the increasing cost of living.

He said that any political strength gained by Ranil Wickremesinghe would only be used against members in the pro-reformists group and not the government. He noted that Karu Jayasuriya is being severely victimized for contesting for the party leadership against Ranil.

Requesting anonymity, he explained that regardless of the harassment faced within the party, members of the pro-reforms group would never join the government and that they would continue to work to out the government and the UNP leadership.

However, Sajith Premadasa had given prior notice to the party that he was unable to attend the protest since he had to attend an event under the Sasunata Aruna porgramme. Kurunegala District MP, Ashok Abeysinghe had not attended the protest saying he had organized a separate protest in his electorate.

Therefore, MPs from the pro-reformists group Dayasiri Jayasekera, Ashok Abeysinghe, Buddhika Pathirana, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Sujeewa Senasinghe and Thalatha Atukorale did not attend the protest in Colombo.

MP Rosy Senanayake had attended the protest and had left after a few minutes.