Hemakumara to form a Joint Opposition

An effort to form a joint opposition group initiated by leader of the newly formed Mavubima Janatha Pakshaya, former Presidential Advisor Hemakumara is underway to bring prominent personalities including former army commander Sarath Fonseka, Hirunika Premachandra, and UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya under one umbrella to take on the government.

Mr. Nanayakara told a news conference that all these personalities have expressed their willingness to support such an endeavour. He said several prominent members of the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic clergy had also expressed their support for the move.

He said he had invited these persons and all political parties to come forward to form a joint opposition group against the individual domination in the country’s administration, break down in the rule of law and the economic turmoil.

Mr. Nanayakkara said all opposition parties should come together in order to win the confidence of the people. He said the main challenge faced by the opposition parties is that people don’t trust any of those parties.

Responding to a question raised by the journalists as to whether people would trust him as he is a person who played a role in the UPFA government, Mr. Nanayakkara said he would be able to win people’s confidence as he sacrificed all the perks and walked out of the government within 24 hours in order to maintain his principles.

When contacted by the Daily Mirror, Member of the Democratic Party and Member of Parliament Jayantha Ketagoda confirmed that his leader Fonseka had begun discussions with several parties to form a joint opposition. He said no final decisions have been made on the matter.

Ms. Premachandra who responded said she has not decided on her political fate. She said her sole objective is to do justice to her father Baratha Lakshman Premachnadra by bringing his killers to book.

However, she said she is a member of the National Movement for Social Justice initiated by Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera recently which is also a group of political parties and other civil groups.

Sources close to Mr. Jayasuriya said he is also in favour of forming a joint opposition but has no intention to leave the UNP.