Sajith Premadasa, who secured himself the UNP’s deputy leadership after getting Karu Jayasuriya to contest for the post of party leader, has now commenced a media campaign against Jayasuriya.

Political columns in newspapers last weekend have implied that Jayasuriya worked under Premadasa according to his directives. It is learnt these articles have been written with Premadasa’s approval. His media secretary Mahilal had prepared the documents and had given it to Hema Premadasa for approval. She had then personally sent the report to several journalists who write political columns for the newspapers through her security officers.

Premadasa’s group is currently facing a clash since Premadasa had failed to follow a decision reached by the group.

The group had decided that Premadasa and Jayasuriya carry out meetings together in the Sabaragaumwa, North Central and Eastern provincial Council election campaign. Premadasa however has decided to attend meetings in the three provinces together with party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Premadasa’s group is doubtful if he switched off his mobile phone and stayed away from the Working Committee meeting that approved the extension of the party leadership to six years following an agreement reached between Premadasa and Malik Samarawickrema.

Former UNP Chairman, Malik Samarawickrema is trying hard to get Premadasa and Wickremesinghe reach a consensus.

Members of Premadasa’s group feel that he is trying to tread on political path of his own by sidelining the rest of the members. Activists in Premadasa’s group, Thalatha Atukorale, Dunesh Gankanda and Ranjith Madduma Bandara are disgruntled with the current situation and are also critical of the actions of Shiral Lakthileka, Maithri Gunaratne, Buddhika Pathirana and Lal Perera.

An activist in Premadasa’s group MP Dayasiri Jayasekera is now engaged in criticizing not only Wickremesinghe and Premadasa, but also Sarath Fonseka. He has displayed pro-government tendencies.

Another key activist in Premadasa’s group, MP Rosy Senanayake is now silent and is engaged in political; work accepting Wickremesinghe as the party leader.