Western Provincial Council member of the United National Party, S.M. Marikkar is to be appointed as the Electorate Organizer for Kolonnawa by the UNP.

Marikkar, who was formerly the Channel Head of Sirasa FM, contested the Western Provincial Council election under the UNP ticket for Colombo District. His election campaign, which was carried under the theme “apey kenek”, became immensely popular among the youth during the election period.

A party spokesman said Marikkar would accept his letter of appointment from Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe this morning.

However, it is learnt that several UNP stalwarts in Colombo, including UNP Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake, have openly expressed displeasure with Marikkar’s appointment as the Electorate Organizer of Kolonnawa.

Highly placed UNP sources told Asian Mirror that Marikkar has aligned himself with former UNP Parliamentarian Sagala Ratnayake, who is known to be a close associate of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Ruling party organizer for the Kolonnawa electorate is Parliamentarian Duminda Silva, who is the brother of Rayynor Silva, Managing Director of ABC Media Network.