Making a strong statement at the UNP May Day event a short while ago, UNP National Organizer Minister Navin Dissanayake said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had built up a strong second tier leadership in the party, fulfilling the responsibility of a far-sighted national leader. 

"The Prime Minister showed the support he commands in the party at secret ballots. He is a veteran leader and everyone in the party must work with the party leadership," Dissanayake said, in his speech. 

"Former President J.R. Jayewardene created a strong second tier leadership including Ranasinghe Premadasa, Gamini Dissanayake and Lalith Ethulathmudali. He did not create just one leader, but several leaders who can take the party forward. There is a similar situation in the UNP now. There are several young leaders who can take the party forward. This second tier leadership was built by none other than our leader Ranil Wickremesinghe," the UNP National Organizer said. 

"We have a good team. We have a good Deputy Leader and we also have a new General Secretary who has plans to make the party victorious."

"There are issues and differences. But, we must resolve these issues amicably and focus on winning the next election," he added. 

"Our leader has been at the forefront of politics since 1977. He has been involved in various 'games'. We need to play a 'game' of that kind to turn the tables on the 'phottuwa' party," he added. 

"Politics is the art of the possible. We cannot say no to those who ask for government jobs. That is embedded in the political culture of Sri Lanka. I have seen how my father created jobs for those who worked for the UNP. We must look after our supporters," he added.