Former UNP Minister Vajira Abeywardene has urged that Ranil Wickremesinghe should continue as the leader of the United National Party at this crucial hour since he had the capability to revive and strengthen the party that has been shattered.

He was addressing a press conference. He said:

“Only a revived political party should be handed over to a leader of the next generation. It is for Mr. Wickremesinghe to decide whether he is going to hand over a fallen party to the leader of the next generation or whether he would hand over a revived party.

Ranil Wickremesinghe was able to bring UNP to power five times and he will do it once again. Wickremesinghe is duty bound to enter Parliament through UNP’s solitary National List no matter whether he liked it or not. Those who were responsible for the UNP’s fall should not be forgiven. It is certain that it is the people within the UNP itself who are responsible for its fall.”