Government assisted United National Party leader unshaken by massive protest of rebel group

More than 10,000 activists of Sri Lanka's major opposition United National Party (UNP) held a demonstration against the party leader ranil Wickramasinghe near the Viharamahadevi Park.

Later they marched towards the office of the Opposition Leader and continued protest there. Some were seen attacking the gate of the office.

A group of traditional devil dancers performed a devil dance in front of the gate playing drums acting as chasing the devils in the party.

MP Dayasiri Jayasekara addressing the gathering said that they were not urging the Opposition Leader to resign but to hand over the party leadership to Karu Jayasuriya.

The agitation was earlier planned by Sajith Premadasa Group near the party headquarters Sirikotha but had to be changed due to a court ruling.

The government supported Wickramasinghe by closing the road in front of Sirikotha for carpeting. Wickramasinghe enjoyed protection from protests covering to the rollers of corrupt Maga Neguma.

However, the UNP sources say no significant decision was taken at the party working committee held yesterday regarding the leadership.

Karu Jayasuriya, Sajith Premadasa, Dayasiri Jayasekara and Ranjith Madduma Bandara of the rebel group also participated in the working committee meeting but reportedly remained silent mostly. No one asked Wickramasinghe to step down and hand over the reins to Co-Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya. Not only that, Sajith Premadasa reportedly agreed to work on the basis of the agreements reached on March 23, 2011 while airing his personal grievances in the party.

They even consented  disciplinary action against some leading figures of their group if they repeat violating party constitution despite being the mentors for them, sources say.