One of Sri Lanka’s leading prelates said yesterday that the presidential system of government did not suit Sri Lanka but warned opposition parties against giving false promises to people.
The Mahanayaka of the Malwatte chapter, the Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sumangala Thera, made the comments when a group of United National Front (UNF) leaders called on the prelate to brief him on their common programme, including the abolition of the executive presidency.
The team was led by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The Mahanayaka said the provincial council system was being used to provide jobs to supporters of politicians instead of being used for the benefit of the people.
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| Oppostion leader Wickremesinghe presenting the UNF policy document to the Malwatte Mahanayake |
Mr. Wickremesinghe was accompanied by SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera, UNP Deputy Leader, Karu Jayasuriya, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attananayka and others.
The UNF members on Friday left Colombo by motorcade to present the UNF programme to the Mahanayaka Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters and get their blessings.
The Malwatte Mahanayaka said that the people carried out protest campaigns, mainly because politicians failed to keep promises. He urged politicians to refrain from giving false promises.“There will be a good government if there is a good opposition and only then will democracy flourish,” the Mahanayake said.
Mr. Wickremesinge said his party formed the new alliance to save democracy and march forward after uniting the people.
He said he would see that all sections of the people, especially the youth, would benefit from the UNF’s new development plans.
Mr. Samaraweera told the prelate that the present government was on an extremist course and therefore he and others left the SLFP and joined the alliance to honour the late D.S. Senanayake who did a great service to the nation with his middle path philosophy. He said that S.W.R.D Bandaranaike followed the same course and outlined the UNF’s ten-point plan to take the country to the path of democracy.
SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem leader said his party would play its role to bring about unity in diversity among different communities.
The UNF leaders later called on the Anunayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter, Ven Galgama Attadassi Thera, in the absence of the Mahanayaka.
The UNF delegation also held a pooja at the Dalada Maligawa where they donated a golden casket. Later they visited the Pilliyar Kovil, Meeramakkam Mosque and St. Anthony’s Cathedral. |
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