Basil-Gammanpila in verbal duel; MR intervenes

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s de facto leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa, had to intervene to settle a war of words between Udaya Gammanpila and Basil Rajapaksa at a meeting of partner leaders of the ‘Joint Opposition’.

Mr Gammanpila is the leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya and Mr Rajapaksa is the architect of the SLPP and its ideologue.

The heated arguments arose when Mr Gammanpila raised issue over how vacancies that occur in local councils should be filled. Mahinda Rajapaksa had the simple answer – it should go to the same party whose candidate had vacated the seat due to death or resignation.

However, here was a case where the parties of the ‘ Joint Opposition’ could not be represented. Their nominations were rejected and Mr Gammanpila cited the Boralesgamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha.

It was Basil Rajapaksa’s contention that if a person who had died was an SLPP member, the seat should be filled by that party. He had some strong words to say against Mr Gammanpila.

Opposition Leader Rajapaksa interrupted at one stage and said that the verbal duel must stop. When there were exceptional circumstances, it would be incumbent on the party leaders to decide on who the successor would be.

That ended the tussle that raised eyebrows at the meeting. Democratic Left Front Leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara backed Mr Gammanpila’s position.