The United National Party (UNP) held its 54th annual convention yesterday at its headquarters, Sirikotha Pitta Kotte. A large number of party supporters invited by the organising committee was present. Many resolutions were ratified at the convention including the six-year term for the leader.

However, objections were raised by Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and MPs Karu Jayasooriya, Dayasiri Jayasekera and Buddhika Pathirana to extend the period of the leadership. There were 4,978 votes in favour of the extension while 337 voted against it.

Sajith Premadasa told the gathering that UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should contest the next Presidential election, failing which he would accept the challenge and contest the presidency. Sirikotha and its environs were heavily guarded by the police and nobody was permitted to enter the premises yesterday without an official invitation by the party headquarters.