Opposition on anti-national path - Dilum Amunugama

"The opposition resorts to subtle tactics to achieve their sinister objectives. It is the leader of the Opposition who is heading this undemocratic campaign and not others in the country. If the UNP is digging its own grave what can others do in a situation like this," said SLFP chief organiser, Nugawela, MP Dilum Amunugama, at a meeting at the Nugawela SLFP office.

"The leader of the Opposition, had suppressed the activities of every person who rose against him. Such opponents include small and big men. The aim of the Leader of the Opposition is to ensure that any one who is more capable, efficient or popular than him should be put down, and if possible, also put an end to their legitimate political activities. It is in that context that he attempted to erase the name of a popular figure like Rukman Senanayake, by the stroke of a pen," he said.

"Thereafter the Leader of the Opposition, pushed the rising stars of the UNP into oblivion through his supporters. By doing so the Leader of the Opposition, apparently, hopes to bring the innocent and ignorant into the limelight. Even by doing so, the Leader of the Opposition cannot come to power and he is quite aware of it," Amunugama said. "Our President's objective is not to annihilate the opposition; on the contrary, the President hopes to build an effective democratic regime in the country. The Government is pursuing that policy sincerely, although the Opposition is resorting to disruptive tactics to sabotage the good intentions of our Government," the MP said.

"The opposition is shamelessly inviting reactionary forces within the country and abroad to participate in its anti-national campaigns. The opposition in Sri Lanka and some foreign countries are not only envious of the brave and independent policies followed by our Government, they are also angry about the bold steps taken

in accordance with the policies laid down by the Government," the chief organiser said.

Rukman Senanayake

"Their aim is to install a weak and sterile Government in our country. Some capitalist countries are trying to destabilise any country that follows the democratic path, by resorting to massive onslaughts on democracy. Sri Lanka is no exception to this phenomenon," Amunugama said.

In this context it must be emphasised that the opposition in Sri Lanka is following a treacherous and anti-national path. This is the hard fact today. When incidents of this nature take place no strike in our country can be a success; nor would the public give even a drop of water to anyone in the Opposition. It is imperative that the opposition should understand and remember this hard fact," he said.

"Politicians in any country should not mislead the people. They should enlighten the people by telling them the truth. By stanting falsehoods on matters like employment, cost of living, economic development, income of the country, no purpose will be served. The Opposition is hanging on to these topics with the help of some sections of the media," the MP said.

Ranil Wickremesinghe

"These are futile efforts on the part of the Opposition. Today, more than in the past, the public know the truth through several media sources. The efforts of the Opposition are only temporary and they will bear no fruit. It is obligatory on all of us to speak the truth and nothing but the truth. If anyone shirks on these matters it will amount to stalling the future progress of our country," he said.

"At present there is no peace in several countries of the world. In Pakistan for instance, one of our neighbouring countries, some time ago, the Deputy Leader of Imran Khan's political party was murdered. In several countries, today, terrorism had raised its ugly head. In one of the biggest countries in the world, the USA, where security arrangements are said to be high, the participants in a marathon race were subjected to bombing in broad daylight", Amunugama said.

"After a continuous period of terrorism, we in Sri Lanka eradicated ruthless terrorists forever.

That is a valuable lesson we gave the entire world. By the complete eradication of terrorism in Sri Lanka, we added a new chapter to the political history of the world. This fact is accepted without any dispute or debate by all right thinking people," he said.

"In view of the above developments in the international firmament our task today is for all parties to get together to build a peaceful Sri Lanka. Divisive forces will invariably retard the economic development of the country. Our endeavour should be to build a just society for the future and that is a responsibility of all of us, irrespective of our differences, political or otherwise. If that is not done we are likely to encounter numerous problems which will adversely affect the helpless public," the chief organiser said.

"It is needless to state that all those who enter Parliament through the votes of the people should set aside their personal agendas, and work for the achievement of common objectives with a sense of dedication," he said.