News

SB’s political somersault

Political crossovers, the display of posters of the two main candidates – President Mahinda Rajapaksa and General (retd.) Sarath Fonseka and news conferences from both sides dominated the past week.
On Monday, the former UNP’s National Organiser, S.B. Dissanayaka, who has a track record of political somersaults announced his resignation from the party and the decision to support President Rajapaksa.

He said, he was resigning from all positions he held in the UNP including the post of Central Provincial council opposition leader saying, “On principle I do not agree to be elected from one party and work for another”.

He made his announcement at a news conference at the Taj Samudra hotel. Ministerial Security body guards frisked journalists entering the venue. In the background of the head table was a banner with the UNP symbol elephant with the wordings “United National Party”, indicating that he still did not want to sever his ties with the party.

Using a booklet titled ‘My Responsibility’ which was later distributed to the media, Mr. Dissanayaka went on to elaborate the reasons why he quit the party. The main target was Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe whom he blamed for almost all the faults of the party. But others including former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera, the JVP were also among those he accused for what he called the ‘down fall’ of the country.

Mr. Dissanayaka who had once made his ambition clear saying he was ‘fit to contest the presidential election’, was asked whether he still harboured the same ambition or at least that of becoming the Prime Minister, he said, “No I have given up all those ambitions. I have put a wall and stopped these ideas”.

But, instead he said, he was extending ‘unconditional’ support for President Rajapaksa’s campaign and would ensure his victory at the Presidential election.

When he was asked about the reports of “Batahira Balawega’ (Western forces) backing General (retd) Sarath Fonseka’s campaign, he responded, “Do not worry, because they are not going to vote, it is the locals who are going to vote”.

On the following day, Kurunegala District UNP MP, Johnston Fernando addressing a news conference in Colombo said, he would announce his decision on December 17 – the day of the nominations.
“Our call is that we should contest the Presidential election under our own party symbol. Until the 17th I will campaign for that,” Mr. Fernando who has been critical of the UNP leader and other senior members said.

He said that the UNP leadership had failed to prevent members leaving the party at regular intervals and the latest example was S.B.Dissanayaka where no attempts were made to prevent him from leaving the party.

“No one can talk against the leadership in the party as they are threatened that they would not be given nominations. As a result no one can voice their opinions,” he charged.

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, addressing a news briefing on the same day said, the government without proof had made allegations in Parliament against Gen. Fonseka regarding arms purchases, but they were false and the JVP will soon expose the truth about arms purchases and MiG deals.

“We have all the documents regarding these purchases. We will be presenting them in Parliament soon,” he said.

 
Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
 
Other News Articles
Polls commissioner cautions President
TMVP sways, keeps options open again
Lanka named in mystery over arms cargo
US imposing strict conditions
MR offers T- Bills to Ceylinco victims
TNA puts four conditions to main contenders
Bad taste
Police try to stop TNL repeat telecast of Susie on SB
Season to wear face masks
Talk at the Cafe Spectator
Second consulate office in China
Govt. gulps Rs. 2 billion more in two months
Obeysekera walauwa case hearings continue
Wayward bus injures three students
Govt. price fixing has little impact
Doctor wanted in baby sale racket
SriLankan ordered to compensate injured passenger
Opposition parties prevented from holding meetings
Declare assets before poll: AG’s advice sought
As the battle draws closer media briefings boom
The pictures tell the story
SB’s political somersault
The others in the race
Season to wear face masks
US takes a closer look at Sri Lanka

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 2009 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.| Site best viewed in IE ver 6.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution