FORMER HOMAGAMA PS CHAIRMAN LAMENTS OVER PARTY POLICIES
Former Homagama Provincial Council Chairman A.D. Kumarasiri accused the SLFP of failing to safeguard the individuals who shed their honest sweat risking their employment and property for the victory of the party amid threat of armed gangs and rivals.
Addressing a gathering at a ceremony to mark the assuming of duties of the new PS Chairman Ruwan Probodha Peiris, the former Chairman said the heads of fifteen local authorities had been removed from their posts using a loophole in the Local Government Ordinance.
“The government has now understood this flaw in the Local Government Ordinance and the step taken to remove the chairmen is not justifiable. With this in view, the government is planning to amend the ordinance. The proposed legislation would soon be tabled in Parliament. I was elected as chairman by the people, but it was denied arbitrarily. Only Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Dinesh Gunawardene gave me strength during the crisis that lasted for three months. All others wanted to destroy me. I loved the SLFP from my childhood and lost many things for politics. I lost my employment during the general strike in 1980. I faced the threats of rivals and their armed gangs and was even languished in jail for months. I wish to extend my cooperation to the new Chairman. However, several individuals in the SLFP who were planning to oust me are now shedding crocodile tears about the PS coming under Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s party. What mattered was not the SLFP but the man eligible for the post. Results of the recent PC election were a clear indication that the strength of our party in the electorate had been declining.” He saidMinister Wimal Weerawansa, PC Members Gamini Tilakasiri and Yadamini Gunawardene represented Minister Dinesh Gunawardene and members of the Homagama PS were present at the occasion. However, other members except Neelkanthi Samara-
Several individuals in the SLFP who were planning to oust me are now shedding crocodile tears about the PS coming under Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s party
wickerema, who voted against the budgetary proposals presented by the former Chairman, were not present.