Savithra crossover drama:

Backstage operations come to the open

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Yet another crossover move orchestrated by UNP parliamentarian Sujeewa Senasinghe along with a few other local government members was finally turned into a damp squib, as UPFA Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Councillor Savithra de Silva who pretended that he would support New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential Candidate Maithripala Sirisena, made a u-turn after arriving for an Opposition media conference at the NDF campaign at Thimbirigasyaya, on December 24.

The 'U-turn' press conference chaired by parliamentarian Sujeewa Senasinghe. Savithra de Silva is at extreme right

Savithra de Silva who arrived for the Opposition media briefing was welcomed by MP Senasinghe saying that the Municipal Councillor had decided to support NDF Presidential Candidate Sirisena.

After he was introduced to the media by Senasinghe, the UPFA member made a shocking statement that he had decided to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa and will not betray the President.

Senasinghe and other UNP members seated along with him were visibly shocked, or rather flabbergasted by the sudden turn of events and finally left red faced as their crossover move was turned into an utter farce.

Savithra de Silva in an interview with the Sunday Observer said that MP Senasinghe, Kotikawatta - Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Prasanna Solangaarachchi, former UPFA Provincial Councillor Keerthi Udawatta and two other UNP members of the Dehiwala- Mount Lavinia Municipal Council whose names he didn't want to disclose, were behind this drama.

He said that he was first elected as a member of the Municipal Council at the Local Government Elections held in October, 2011. He said that he was committed to the President's victory at the upcoming Presidential Election.

De Silva alleged that the Opposition had engaged in attempts to 'rope in' Government members by offering them money and various other incentives.

He said that he was also offered a pretty sum and a vehicle if he wished to join the Opposition and extend his support to NDF candidate Sirisena. He accused the Opposition for the vengeance.

He said this is a conspiracy hatched by the Opposition against the Leader who had saved the country from the clutches of terrorism.

He said that he was being pestered for about six days by those who had orchestrated the crossover drama, to join hands with Sirisena's campaign. He was taken to Sirisena's Campaign Office by Keerthi Udawatta and Solangaarachchi.

They had attempted to give him an impression that the President's political career was doomed. He was briefed as to what he should tell the press. De Silva said that those behind the drama had also prepared a statement critical of the President to be read out by him at the conference.

Briefed by Keerthi Udawatta, a secretary of Solangaarachchi drafted the statement.

Savithra de Silva said that after his U-turn act, he had received several anonymous telephone calls with threats, with a warning that he would be the first target after Sirisena's Government comes to power.