The United National Party (UNP) celebrates its 80th anniversary today (September 6).
A commemorative programme will be held at 9.00 a.m. today at Sirikotha, the UNP headquarters in Pitakotte, under the patronage of UNP Leader and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The UNP was founded on September 6, 1946, at Palm Court Mansion in Colombo. D.S. Senanayake was elected as its first leader, while H.W. Amarasuriya was appointed Secretary. Sir Razik Fareed and J.R. Jayewardene were elected as Co-Treasurers.
Green was selected as the party’s official colour, while the elephant was adopted as its symbol.
Since its establishment, the UNP has been led by prominent figures including D.S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake, Sir John Kotelawala, J.R. Jayewardene and Ranasinghe Premadasa.
Following the death of Ranasinghe Premadasa, Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed the leadership of the party and remains its leader.
