UNP goes to pola today

Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday announced the launch of a non-violent direct action campaign against the government starting today titled Dukha Nivana Aragalaya.

Their first act today will be to distribute anti-government propaganda material at Sunday polas (fairs) throughout the country, to be followed by a call for mobile phone users not to use their phones for two hours from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. tomorrow in protest against the government's recent decision to impose increased taxes on mobile phones and other commodities.

Mr. Wickremesinghe's call stops short of a total civil disobedience campaign against the imposition of these new taxes, a matter that is still clothed in controversy with Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara saying he was continuing to study the position as to whether these bills introduced in Parliament ten days ago were procedurally passed correctly in accordance with the House Standing Orders.

Speaker Lokubandara was out of the country on a private visit and was expected back yesterday. The matter is likely to come up on Tuesday when Parliament next meets.

Speaking at a rally at Dehiattakandiya near Ampara last evening, the Opposition Leader urged the people to join the protest campaigns against the government, and reiterated his demand that the government call early parliamentary elections as the only alternative available to it in the face of mounting criticism.