Opposition leader to contest General elections from Colombo

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Another rally of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya was held in Homagama yesterday (February 28). The rally was organized by the UNP's Homagama electorate organizer Eranda Weliange. Opposition Leader and leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Sajth Premadasa attended the event. Former Chairman of the National Youth Services Council, Eranda Weliange speaking at the event said;

"Allegations of committing financial fraud were leveled against our government. However, as fate would have it, Mahinda Rajapaksa now has to punish the culprits involved in soliciting a bribe of more than Rs. 300 million at SriLankan Airlines under his administration. Today, the CEO has been remanded. Who was the Chairman of SriLankan Airlines at that time? Who was on the board of directors? Who was the Finance Minister then?"

Meanwhile UNP MP, Patali Champika Ranawaka said;

"When the government acquired SriLankan Airlines in 2008, it was said that the country would receive a national air carrier thanks to a patriotic government. What has happened to the airline now? Now the per capita debt is standing at Rs 12,500. The decision to purchase 14 aircrafts in 2013 was made in a similar way to that of purchasing a three-wheeler, by holding discussions at the then Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa's residence, with the participation of his son Shavendra Rajapaksa's brother-in-law Nishantha. Rs. 300 billion was spent on it. A large investment was made in a similar manner to that of the Puttalam Power Plant and the Hambantota Port. This was done without informing the Cabinet, Parliament or the Attorney General. That is why a clean people's force is needed."

He continued to say;

"The Samagi Jana Balawegaya is not a force which will join hands with thieves. We do not engage in deal politics under the leadership of Sajith Premadasa. It was shown on television that Udayanga Weeratunga was arrested upon coming to Sri Lanka. He was in Dubai. They went to arrest him when he was about to be deported. The judge questioned as to why a case could not be filed against this individual who defrauded millions of rupees under the Public Property Act. It was the CID that filed the lawsuit."

Meanwhile addressing the people gathered at the event the Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa said;

"I am neither a puppet candidate nor a puppet Chairman of the Nomination Board. I will not act as a puppet leader of an alliance as well. As the leader of the alliance, I do not wish to engage in representative politics. When the general elections are approaching I wish to make a request to observe the tactics used during the presidential election. There is a 48-hour silent period before every poll. During the silent period of the presidential election, we saw monks making statements. I am now informed that a plan is in place to stir up a story and to make the Pohottuwa a subject of discussion across all temples. At present, a government that cannot control the prices of goods and reduce fuel prices in keeping with global market rates is in power. An alternate Populist Progressive force is required."

He says;

"We do not wish to create an unclean force under the name of unity. Eranda Welianga has been an irreplaceable supportive force in my political career. The Western Province and the Colombo District needs a new future. While having a young and energetic leader, we also have an experienced and talented individual who is Patali Champika Ranawaka. I will also get a chance to contest from Colombo together with them. In light of such statements, news reports may surface on the individual who has the authority to handover nominations. However, I wish to remind you that the Chairman of the Nomination Board is none other than Sajith Premadasa. I wish to conclude my speech by wishing everyone a blessed future."