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Nandana quits SLFP, wants Rajapaksa regime out
View(s):Nandana Gunathilake quit the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and stepped down as Chairman of Panadura Urban Council stating that the whole government and the present political system were corrupt and all politicians for democracy and a corrupt-free society should unite for a change of the present Rajapaksa regime.
On Friday, the former JVP stalwart, presidential candidate and minister pledged his support to the common opposition candidate saying that the executive presidency is paving the way for a dictatorial rule.
Nandana Gunathilake
“The whole political system is corrupt under this Executive Presidency.There was corruption when J.R. Jayewardene and R. Premadasa were Presidents, but not on this level. Under this regime, thecorrupt are protected by the Executive.
He said the Bribery and Corruption Commission revealed a Government minister who has misused Government funds amounting to four billion rupees, but within a week the head of the Commission was transferred.
“Who is protecting these corrupt ministers? It is the President himself. Since 2010, a wealthy group has emerged consisting of those who obtain huge commissions, contractors, casino owners and those who accept bribes. They even hold ministry secretary positions,” he said.
Mr. Gunathilake, was the People’s Liberation Front (JVP) General Secretary in 1994 and five years later he was the JVP’s Presidential candidate. In 2008, he resigned from the JVP to join the National Freedom Front, a breakaway group of JVPers led by Wimal Weerawansa. He was also the first Chairman of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and Minister of Tourism and Minister of Posts in the UPFA Government.
In 2009, he resigned from the NFF and was appointed the Kalutara District SLFP Organiser in 2010. In 2011, he became the Chairman of the Panadura Urban Council.