The United National Party (UNP) has decided to boycott all State-sponsored functions, excluding those which the party believes are not politically motivated, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella told the Sunday Times.
“We have taken this decision as a mark of protest at the manner in which the Government is conducting its affairs, similar to a dictatorship. This has been conveyed to the party membership,” he said.
Accordingly Members of Parliament, Provincial Councillors and local government members have been instructed to carry out the party decision.
“We will only take part in an event if the party has an involvement in the event, such as a development progamme for which the UNP also has contributed or a religious function which is not politically motivated,” Mr. Kiriella said.
The Sunday Times learns that an UNP office bearer this week sought permission from Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to take part in a State function organized to mark the Army’s 60th anniversary. He was permitted to attend the event, since it was non-political. |
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