Wickremesinghe retains Lanka opposition leadership

Colombo: Opposition leader Ranil
Wickremesinghe on Monday retained the leadership of the United
National Party (UNP), defeating his rival in a secret ballot.

Wickremesinghe has been under pressure to quit the
party leadership since the UNP`s rout in the April 2010
election.

He defeated his rival Karu Jayasuriya by 72-24 in a
secret ballot among the party`s working committee members.

Jayasuriya posed the latest challenge to Wickremesinghe
after a similar bid by the other aspirant Sajith Premadasa.

He in March withdrew the challenge by agreeing to
work under Wickremesinghe. Wickremesinghe who led the party
since 1994 is being blamed for his inability to lead the party
to victory.

PTI