The United Professionals Group (UPG) is a group of professionals comprising Management Executives, Doctors, Engineers, Accountants, Architects, Planners, Valuers, etc. formed to provide mutual and professionally beneficial interaction amongst its Membership. The group also acts as a ‘think tank’ to the United National Party (UNP) with Professional inputs as and when necessary. The UPG was formed
in 1994 to mobilise Professionals from all over Sri Lanka and contribute positively to the development of the nation within the framework of the United Nationals Party (UNP). The Objectives of the UPG are;
• To adequately voice Professional Public Opinion within the United National Party.
• To ensure adequate Professional Participation and Representation on all matters of National interest within the United National Party.
• To formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate short, medium and long term policies to strengthen the political base of the United National Party among Professionals of Sri Lanka and abroad.
• To ensure the stability and continuity of the territorial integrity and democratic form of Government in Sri Lanka. UPG was formed as a brain child of Hon Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in 1994 after the defeat of the UNP Government. Leader wanted the UPG to provide professional inputs to the party such as providing information, suggestions and statistics etc. to the MPs in the party to be used in parliamentary debates . Founding patron was Dr.Jayalath Jayawardena,
Convenor-Tudor Munasinghe
Secretary- P. Thayaparan
Treasurer- Deepal Gunaratne
Except Dr.Jayalath Jayawardene rest of the office bearers continued until 2005.
2005/ 2006 Kabir Hashim was elected president. VPs were Tudor Munasinghe and Themiya L.B.Hurulle
Secretary - Upali Perera
Treasurer- Husain S.Hashim
2007/2009
President- Themiya Hurulle
Secretary- Hussain S. Hashim
Treasurer - C.Ramachandra
The membership of the Group is open to all Professionals with qualifications above a recognised Diploma level. The Executive Committee also has the discretion to admit persons as members who are not Professionals but those with outstanding experience in various fields who in the opinion of the Executive Committee could contribute positively to the objectives of the Group. The UPG has six standing Committees covering fields such as;
• Political Affairs
• Media
• International Affairs
• Social and Welfare
• Finance
• Membership Development
The UPG was reconstituted in 2005 and the Presidents since then were
2005-2007 Kabir Hashim
2007 -2009 Themiya Hurulle
2009- 2011 M.D.Upali Perera
2011 -2013 Rasin Senaratne
2013 - Winston Pathiraja
The services provided by the UPG to the UNP are as follows.
• We provide professional inputs to UNP Members of Parliament, Provincial Councils and Local Government Authorities during times when Appropriation Bills are debated.
• We serve on Committees of inquiry and development formed by the UNP and provide professional inputs.
• We provide inputs and services where logistical planning and implementation are required by the UNP.
• Our Members serve on Interview panels to select candidates for Local Government and Provincial Council elections.
• Our Members were also appointed to committees that interviewed and recommended Organisers for various Electorates.
• Members of the UPG have also held Senior Posts in the party such as Treasurer, General Secretary and Vice President. Our proposals for Party Reforms was also considered by the Working Committee. Five members of the UPG are nominated by the Party leader each year to the National Executive Committee of the Party. Since 2008 the UPG has been represented in the Working Committee . Members of the UPG have also held Senior Posts in the party such as Treasurer, General Secretary and Vice President,Chairman. The Party has recognised the need for Professionals and has planned to include representation from its Professional bodies to the Working Committee. Present Position
There is Good Governance in this country now.The UPG by enrolling into their ranks top-level professionals from various fields would analyses their inputs on issues facing the country.
