Archives for December 29, 2017

The first step of handing over the future of the country should be taken at the forthcoming local government election the rotating system of politics that continued in the country for nearly 70 years should be brought to an end and power should be given to a new, creative group says President’s Counsel Srinath Perera.
President’s Counsel Srinath Perera, who was a former Additional Solicitor General, said this speaking to ‘Lanka Irida’ newspaper on how the forthcoming local government election could be used to direct politics in the country towards a new path.
He said, “ I make my observations based only on a criticism I have regarding the UNP. During the period of Mr. D.S. Senanayaka, the first leader of this party, new colonies were begun for farming and did massive work for the country. Even today we reap the benefits of their services. That’s why we appreciate his services even today.
Mr. Dudley Senanayaka, despite not being a very efficient person, is in our hearts as an honest person. However, during Mr. J.R. Jayawardene’s time, the intention of Mr. J.R. Jayawardene was to eradicate the family of Mrs. Sirimawo Dias Bandaranayaka from politics. We can never say he used the power and maturity as well as international relations for the benefit of the people in the country. However, I do not say nothing was done during this period. I see the ruling period of the UNP as a period that took the country towards degeneration.
I don’t want to criticize Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s ruling period between 2005 and 2009. For, there was a terrible war in the country. However, the period between 2009 and 2014 was a period that destroyed the economy of the country and allowed the members of the family to ruin the economy of the country. The state service in the country that was independent for a certain degree was destroyed. The judiciary system was wrecked and an era where unlawfulness reigned and people were abducted by ‘white’ vans and were brutally murdered.
The people got an opportunity to end this system at the presidential election held in 2015. Now, no one can agree with the moves taken by Ranil Wickremesinghe’s UNP since then. According to my understanding, the UNP has allowed more opportunities to commit frauds and corruption. No attempt has been taken to prevent people’s money being plundered. I don’t see any difference in committing frauds and corruption during the UNP regime. In Parliament as well as outside it information about fraudsters and eh corrupt have been revealed.
The people have to work hard to save this country. However, the people do not show any interest in doing so. People have always elected corrupt rulers. They get deceived by corrupt politicians. I like to appeal to the voters to come forward to create a new country. Rulers who engage in frauds and corruption would never do any good for the country.
What should be done is to take the first step of handing over the future of the country to a new, creative group at the forthcoming local government election. the rotating system of politics that continued in the country for nearly 70 years should be brought to an end and power should be given to a new, creative group. Then only the country will have an auspicious future for the country. If not the country would move towards darkness and destruction. It has been revealed that there are fraudsters and the corrupt among those who have given nomination for the LG election. It is the responsibility of the voters not to give political power to such elements. I wish that a new creative group would be elected to change the existing rotating system.”

A voter who had said he would vote for a different political party at the local government election has been assaulted by an SLFP candidate. The candidate and two other supporters have been arrested by Minuwangoda Police.
The assault has taken place in Kopiwatta area in Minuwangoda and among the arrested is a sister of the candidate and one of his friends say police.

The report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Bond Issuance has to be presented on the 31st as has been promised. However, not presenting it as has been promised confirms that there is a political manipulation says the convener of Voice Against Corruption (VAC) Wasantha Samarasinghe.
Mr. Samarasinghe points out legal action will have to be taken against former Governor of the Central Bank Arjun Mahendran, the owner of Perpetual Treasuries Arjun Aloysius, UNP Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayaka and several members of the UNP if there is no political manipulation in connection with the relevant report.
He said VAC would take all measures to take legal action if no legal action is taken based on the report of the Commission. He said no one should be allowed to sweep the issue under the carpet by appointing various commission to avoid disadvantage it would create for the LG election.
Mr. Samarasinghe emphasized that the President should place before the country on the 31st the contents of the report and those who were involved in the fraud.

Former Chairman of Ududumbara Pradeshiya Sabha and three others have been arrested by Ududhumbara Police in connection with the violation of election laws.

They were arrested while pasting posters on Ududhumbara – Kandy main road said the police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera.

A bundle of posters, the material used to paste them and a double cab used by the group were taken into custody with them.

Former Chairman and other suspects were to be produced in Teldeniya Magistrates Court.

The Asst. Secretary of Mr. Wimal Weerawansa’s party, as well as its organizer for Kandy District, Nimal Premawansha has left the party to join Mr. Maithripala Sirisena say reports.
Mr. Nimal Premawansha, who is also the member of Mr. Weerawansa’s party representing the Central Provincial Council, met the President at President’s official residence yesterday to join President’s party.
By now, many senior members of Mr. Weerawansa’s party have abandoned the party. The General Secretary of the party Priyanjith Vitharana, its national organizer Piyasiri Wijenayaka, Vice-President Weerakumara Dissanayaka, Member of the Eastern PC Jayantha Weerasekera are some such members who left the NFF.