Lanka Citizen

by Our Political Correspondent

Thilanga Sumathipala who was the Telecom chairman under the previous UNP regime has been appointed as the UNP organizer for Anuradhapura and the district coordinator for Trincomalee district, according to a Colombo Page news report. It is believed in IT circles that this is in acknowledging the yeoman service Sumathipala rendered to the IT industry under the last UNP government.

The Colombo Page report datelined October 13, 2005 goes as follows:

“After a long debate in the party high command, the UNP has decided to appoint business-tycoon and one-time Sri Lanka Telecom and Cricket Board president, to the post of UNP Organizer of Anuradhapura.

Sumathipala has reportedly locked horns with the UNP leadership for not offering any portfolio to him in the party and threatened to withdraw his support to the UNP.

UNP Assistant Secretary Tissa Attanayake has confirmed the UNP’s latest appointment and said Mr. Sumathipala now can involve full time for UNP’s campaign for the presidency.
Apart from the Anuradhapura organizer post, he would act as a district election coordinator for Trincomalee district,” the Assistant Secretary said.”

http://www.colombopage.com/archive/October13122408RA.html

And, the Daily Mirror adds…

Giving a new twist to the above story, Daily Mirror on Friday added that “However, when contacted by the Daily Mirror for confirmation, Mr. Sumathipala denied he had been given the letter of appointment though eye witnesses said they saw the letter of appointment being given to him. ”

http://www.dailymirror.lk/2005/10/14/front/8.asp