Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

PRESIDENT SAYING IT TO RETAIN THOSE LEFT WITH HIM

Says President and PM in a showdown to outshine each other

- BY LAHIRU POTHMULLA AND D.G. SUGATHAPAL­A

Responding to President Maithripal­a Sirisena’s statement that he won’t retire in 2020, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the Joint Opposition’s May Day rally in Galle yesterday that President Sirisena had to say so to hold on to those left with him today by his side.

President afraid of taking important decisions We are ready to fight state financial terrorism

Addressing the rally which was held at the Samanala Grounds in Galle, Mr. Rajapaksa said the people rejected the United National Party (UNP), Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) at the previous local government election.

“That was the clear mandate of the people. However, the President had to make the statement at the May Day rally to keep those who left with him by his side. Otherwise, he would lose them as well.at the same time, Mr. Sirisena is afraid of taking important decisions whereas the government keeps making unproducti­ve decisions such as changing the day of May Day and Vesak,” he said.

He said the government lacks the capability of managing the country as the number of dengue cases had increased due to mounting garbage dumps, garbage dumps have collapsed killing people, prices of essential items including gas and milk power had increased and the underworld figures are roaming free.

“Police officers have been deployed to provide security to a wedding of underworld figures. Police baton charges women. The government is incapable of administra­ting a Grama Niladhari areas let alone a country,” he said.

Referring to the Salawa Army Camp Fire, he said the incident was not an accident but a planned event.“salawa was exploded systematic­ally. Still, no compensati­on had been paid to the victims,” Mr.rajapaksa said.

Meanwhile, he said both the President and the Prime Minister were attempting to outdo each other.“the President said the Premier was surrounded by the corrupt and the Premier set the trap for the President’s Chief of Staff,” he said.

Taking a swipe at the government for fiscal mismanagem­ent, Mr. Rajapaksa said they would salvage the country from what he called a ‘state financial terrorism,’

“We are ready to fight the state financial terrorism which burdens the masses. We won’t dance to the tune of the Internatio­nal Monetary Fund (IMF) or other powerhouse­s,” he said.

A number of JO MPS including it’s Leader Dinesh Gunawardan­e, Wimal Weerawansa, Ramesh Pathirana, Pavithra Wanniarach­chi, Gamini Lokuge, Vasudeva Nanayakkar­a, Udaya Gammanpila and party leaders including Professor G.L. Peiris, Professor Tissa Witharna and many other attended the May Day Rally.

 ?? PIC BY ROMESH DANUSHKA SILVA ??
PIC BY ROMESH DANUSHKA SILVA

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