![Gossip Lanka News [English]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYm2aFFq-bIW1nWX-RrqnPFoIsVos6_VCVz8BpLt0QJi55GNXHXC2fugeRvL0qUStEuCfs7Sfu6ZiSlhrkldxfGuE_wzy5gitY6rMZ2KSi8VBbGvkgXLks37RwZV-4-HKbWiNLRxB8C_r1e4z3mpxFTMPDJPEADoG8E-bZteWFipeD5KNGbjvCfqEfKw=s300 "Gossip Lanka News [English]")
Chairman Gamini Jayawickrema hands over resignation ...No change in Ranil
Though certain factions expected Ranil to resign from the United National Party leadership at a special meeting of the working committee held at Sirikotha in Pita Kotte which started on Monday evening and went on till 9 in the night, it did not come to pass. Instead it is understood that UNP parliament member Mr. Gamini Jayawickrema Perera had decided to give his resignation papers from his position as Chairman of the UNP. Though it is reported that as a replacement for him, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya was to be nominated for that position, that too had not materialised.
In the process it was decided to establish an Advisory Council to handle the work of the Party in future. However, certain powers of leader Ranil would be vested on the new members.
It was mentioned that the working committee brought forward this proposal of a new council with the objective of directing the UNP towards a new avenue of activities towards a victory, it is understood, had declared that some of the powers exercised by the Party leadership would be subject to decisions of the working committee. What those powers have not been disclosed. A date was fixed for this week to discuss matters in which the new council is to be appointed, its nature, its responsibilities etc, with the participation of the leader of the opposition and leader of the United National Party, Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha together with former deputy leaders Mr. Karu Jayasuriya and Mr. Sajith Premadasa.
Prior to the commencement of the meeting of the working committee, a Buddhist monk and PC member Kithsiri Kahatapitiya had staged a Satyagraha in front of the Party headquarters. They had made an appeal that Ranil should not be removed and to take immediate steps against those who damage the discipline of the Party. They had dismissed their satyagraha after Tissa Attanayaka approached them after the meeting was over and the decisions were made known to them.