Government conspiring to defame Sajith

Referring to a booklet allegedly printed by government sources, members of the Jathika Pawura - an organisation of the United National Party (UNP) Lawyers Shiral Lakthilaka and Maithri Gunaratne yesterday claimed that a booklet with a picture of Opposition Deputy leader Sajith Premadasa has been printed and is being circulated in a concerted effort to slander him. Addressing a media briefing Mr. Lakthilaka said that the President has resorted to such measures at this juncture because Mr. Premadasa is one of the most active supporters of his Presidential rival Maithripala Sirisena and is a response warranted by fear. “It is shameful to say the least that the President blatantly abuses Army, Police and Public resources in order to campaign, and has now also resorted to slandering the future leader of the opposition. This shows that he is scared after so many crossovers from the government have happened, and that he has no regard for any laws. He coerces people with threats and attacks, so the question for the people is whether this is the kind of leader they want.” Mr. Lakthilaka said.

Also speaking at the same briefing Mr. Maithri Gunaratne said that this publication has been made to create rifts among an opposition which is now one united front. He said that with the departure of Tissa Attanayake, the former General Secretary of the UNP, the party is now stronger and is devoid of factions.

“This is a direct attempt to create division within the party and to defame Sajith Premadasa. One throws stones only at a tree that bears fruit. The government claimed that they possess files of all the MPs and they were challenged to reveal the contents of these so-called files. The fact that they have not proved that it is a baseless claim” Mr. Gunaratne said.