Karu J. under pressure not to step down

Several UNP MPs, provincial councillors and local government members held a series of meetings with UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya upon hearing rumours that the senior politician had decided to step down in order to make way for reform committee recommendations. Speculation was abounding in political circles that Jayasuriya, a gentlemanly politician had decided to resign his position as deputy leader in order to allow the party office bearers to be elected as recommended by the reforms council.

However the politicians who met Jayasuriya at different times last week, urged the deputy leader to remain in that position, saying that it would precipitate another major crisis within the UNP if he were to resign at this

  juncture when Sajith Premadasa and Ravi Karunanayake were engaged in a massive tussle for the position. They said the majority in the UNP political group believe that in the face of this ongoing battle, Jayasuriya was the ideal compromise candidate who could smooth things over in the party without creating further cracks. 

Media learns that the politicos told Jayasuriya that they were extremely appreciative of the fact that Jayasuriya and SLFP Mahajana Wing Leader Mangala Samaraweera were the only two politicians to quit an all powerful government and join ranks with a much weaker opposition, adding that this reflected a strength of character and integrity few other politicians in Sri Lanka had ever shown. Jayasuriya responded that he was touched by the confidence expressed by the young politicians and said that he had been considering stepping down as deputy leader in order to honour the recommendations of the reforms committee and ensure that he did not become a stumbling block to the reforms process.

He added that his decision to support the government during the war effort was motivated by the fact that in situations of national crisis he believed that country needed to come before the party. However, he told the politicos that if members of the UNP believed that his actions were a betrayal of the UNP, then it was with humility that he was asking for their forgiveness for following the courage of his convictions. Mr. Jayasuriya told the UNP politicians that he would seriously consider their request that he remain in his position as deputy leader, reliable sources said.

MPs further requested Jayasuriya to at least temporarily manage the party and take on the government until the in-fighting between Karunanayake and Premadasa ends. They told Jayasuriya that because of the UNP's internal problems the government was getting a blank cheque with no opposition to pull them up.