June 27, Colombo: Rejecting the proposals made by the former Minister Mangala Samaraweera to set up a wide political alliance, the polit-bureau of the United National Party has appointed a special committee to establish a new framework for rebuilding the nation.

The sources of the UNP confirmed that this decision was made at the special polit-bureau meeting held under the patronage of deputy leader of the party Karu Jayasuriya Friday evening.

The new committee, comprising Ravi Karunanayaka, S.B Dissanayake, Kabeer Hasheem, Sajith Premadasa is led by Gamini Jayawickrama Perera.

Earlier the leader of the UNP Ranil Wickremasinghe had submitted the proposals proposed by Mangala Samaraweera through the working committee of the party. The polit-bureau led by Karu Jayasuriya however, rejected those proposals yesterday.

The polit-bureau has decided that there is no need for a new political alliance at this crucial moment.

Reportedly, several polit-bureau members, especially Rukman Senanayake, Ravi Karunanayaka, S.B Dissanayake, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Raveendra Samaraweera, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena, Johnston Fernando, Sajith Premadasa, Laxman Senaviratne, and Kabeer Hasheem have indirectly criticized the leadership of Ranil Wickremasinghe at this meeting.

UNP General Secretary, Tissa Attanayake was the only person who spoke on behalf of the proposals submitted by Mangala Samaraweera, sources said.