Sagala Vs. Mangala : Battle Of Matara Begins

Plans are afoot in the United National Party to position Sagala Rathnayake as the District Leader of Matara, sidelining Parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera who also heads the Communication Unit of the party. 

As 'Asian Mirror' learns, Sagala Rathnayake has already received blessings of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to be the District Leader of Matara. S.M. Marikkar, former Channel Head of Sirasa FM who got elected to the Western Provincial Council from the United National Party, is also playing a key role behind the new move. Sagala Rathnayake is known to be a close associate of Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

Sagala Rathnayake, who represented Parliament from 2000 to 2010, failed to secure his Parliamentary seat at the last Parliamentary Election. Meanwhile Samaraweera, who crossed over to the UNP from the government, managed to win a Parliamentary seat from the Matara District. 

However, it is also learnt that some members of the UNP Leadership Council and the Working Committee, have vehemently opposed the move of promoting Sagala Rathnayake as the District Leader of Matara.

(Pic Courtesy: The Sunday Times)