United National Party
Over a period spanning half a century, the United National Party has established an unparalleled record of service to Sri Lanka, spearheading Sri Lanka’s remarkable economic and social progress. The United National Party has established itself firmly as the strongest single political party of the country.
The United National Party, in the fullest sense of the expression, is a united and national organization. This is because the United National Party has been constituted to enable comprehensive representation of all racial, social and other groups.
Quite appropriately, Hon D S Senanayake was appointed the Founder- President of the United National Party. This great helmsman, responsible for the destiny of this land, organized the party with a far-sighted vision of the future well-being of the Nation.
The records of the early days of the party also bear witness to many others who gave their unstinting support and co-operation in those early days. Following were the founder office bearers: Vice Presidents S W R D Bandaranaike, T B Jayah, Arunachalam Mahadeva, S Natesan, J L Kotalawela and George Ede Silva; Joint Treasurers AR A Razik and J R Jayewardene; and the Secretary, H W Amarasuriya.
At the Founding of the Party we had just 205 members. Fifty years later, today ,the membership has swelled to 1.4 million.
The United National Party was responsible for the Administration of the country for 31 years of its 50 year history. During the remaining nineteen years, the United National Party, while being in the Opposition, has addressed itself to the task of maintaining the momentum of progress along the path it initiated.
The United National Party that has recorded such innumerable achievements and triumphs in the field of politics, brought into being an outstanding line of national leaders as well.
Hon D S Senanayake
Dudley Senanayake
Sir John Kotalawela
J R Jayewardene
Ranasinghe Premadasa
D B Wijietunge
Ranil Wickremesinghe
Under the guidance of all its seven leaders, the primary task of the party, a task it has adhered to with a clear and unwavering commitment, has been to bring peace, harmony and prosperity to Sri lanka of all walks of life.
In its 50 years, the United National Party has evolved not only into a mature and professionally managed political force, strong and united even in opposition, but a way of life in itself.
