IS PAADA YATHRA TARGETTED TO FAMILY RULE: RUWAN
The joint opposition’s Paada Yathra march was not in any manner a challenge to the government and the only question the government had to ask was whether their attempt was targeted at a comeback to form a family rule again said the State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene.
Mr. Wijewardene was speaking during a spectacle distribution ceremony for school children held at the Bandaranaike Vidyalaya in Gampaha with the patronage of the State Minister who is also the Head of the non-proft organisation SOMS and Etisalat. Chief Commercial officer of Etisalat Yassaer Aboul Rmayaem was also present.
The Minister said, “Today the UNP, the SLFP and several minor political parties have joined hands to form a national government to resolve the national issues while providing relief to the people. The individuals who stage the Paada Yathra today have an inglorious history of leading the people astray through similar means to gain cheap political mileage.
He further said, “We witnessed the popular campaigns too in the past to regain their rights and how they were suppressed. Three people who were killed in the Ratupaswala protest against contamination of drinking water. A young man was killed in a police shooting during a protest in Katunayake FTZ and a fisherman in Chilaw during a protest demanding the fuel subsidy. We were subject to attacks when in opposition and even our vehicles were damaged. Today, the government has restored democracy and one is at liberty to express one’s views without fear. Former President said that we are obstructing the Paada Yathra march. They have the freedom to carry on the march subject to Court orders. However, out question is what purpose would it serve” he said.
He said President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were motivated by one thing and one thing only; to bring about an unprecedented development and prosperity to the people.