A special meeting between the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (Pohottuwa) and the United National Party (UNP) was held last night (12) at the UNP headquarters on Mal Road, Colombo. The discussion focused on the upcoming protest rally scheduled to take place in Nugegoda on the 21st. Sri Lanka Latest News
Representing the Pohottuwa, several senior party members, including General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa, Johnston Fernando, and Sanjeewa Edirimanne, took part in the meeting.
However, a notable observation from the discussion was the complete absence of any frontline leaders from the UNP, despite the meeting being held at their own party office.
From the UNP side, only the party’s National Organizer, Mr. Sagala Ratnayake, was present at the discussion. None of the senior party figures—such as Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala, Deputy General Secretary Harin Fernando, Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, Vice Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, or Navin Dissanayake—were in attendance.
Party Chairman Vajira Abeywardena was, however, seen greeting the Pohottuwa representatives at the entrance of the office before the commencement of the discussion.
Many political observers have now raised suspicions regarding the absence of senior UNP members. It is speculated that their non-participation may have been an act of protest—either against the Pohottuwa delegation itself or against Sagala Ratnayake, who was responsible for organizing the meeting.
Adding to this speculation, SJB trade union representative Ananda Palitha, who was present at the discussion, stated that he attended the meeting at the invitation of Sagala Ratnayake.
Furthermore, serious doubts have been expressed as to whether UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe intentionally refrained from attending the meeting in response to a condition reportedly set by the Pohottuwa—that no former presidents should participate in the upcoming Nugegoda rally.
It is noteworthy that just last week, the same group of Pohottuwa leaders had met with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) at their headquarters on Dali Road, during which all senior SLFP leaders were in attendance.
