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Richard P. gets rude shock after warm reception
By Chandani Kirinde
PA parliamentarian Richard Pathirana has said that President Chandrika Kumaratunga had spoken to him cordially shortly before he was asked by her, in writing, to explain his recent conduct.

He said he received a letter from her asking him for his explanation within 14 days as to why he has been speaking in support of a National Government and the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

In an eight page letter addressed to SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena , Mr. Pathirana has said he had met the President at a function at the BMICH and had tea with her, where she had spoken cordially with him, with no mention of the letter.

When he went home a little later, a hand-delivered letter, signed by the President herself, was waiting for him asking for his explanation on the two matters, he said. He said he had been astonished to receive this letter and had sent the appropriate reply.

In his letter sent to Mr. Sirisena he had said he had decided to step down as the Akmeemana organiser of the SLFP as he was unable to work according to his conscience and work to bring the party back into power.

In the letter Mr. Pathirana had also detailed his entry into politics under the leadership of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike and the dedication with which he worked for the upliftment of the party which was facing a serious crisis at that time.

Mr. Pathirana told reporters in Parliament last week that he stood by his decision to support the 19th Amendment to the Constitution but said he was still undecided on whether he would contest the next general election to be held.

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