UNP boycott Independence Day

'Opposition participation vital as world look forward to it'

By Ananda Kannangara

When the Sunday Observer sought the views of the public on their comments of the UNP's absence at the Independence Day ceremony in Colombo last week.

Sports Minister, Gamini Lokuge said that not only the UNP, but also all other political parties irrespective of their party politics should participate at national ceremonies.

However, the Sports Minister also questioned why the UNP did not take part at the annual ceremony, conducted near the D. S. Senanayake statue at the Independence Square.

UNP, General Secretary, Tissa Attanayaka said the UNP was totally against the conducting of this years Independence Day on a grand scale by spending millions of public funds".

He said at a time when the country is at war and a series of bomb explosions as well as several killings of innocent civilian were reported from many parts of the country, a democratically elected Government could not hold such ceremonies.

The UNP General Secretary also blamed the Government for conducting a dinner party at Temple Trees, Colombo on February fourth night when the whole country was weeping following the deaths of many people, including eight students of D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo.

He however, said his party took a decision to conduct religious ceremonies thought the country to invoke merits for those who sacrificed their lives in the war and blessings on armed forces". An employee of a leading Finance Company, Chathura Madapatha said "I am not against the conducting of Independence Day ceremonies, but Government should have done it in a simple manner and without spending too much money unnecessarily".

He said the colossal sum of money, spent by the Government for the last week ceremony at Galle Face, could have directed for some other valuable development project.

An executive of a semi-government institution, Lalith Bopitiya was not happy with the decision taken by the UNP and said that their participation for Government sponsored national ceremonies as the main Opposition was very vital.

"On the other hand, the Opposition Leader himself during his last election campaign repeatedly mentioned the importance of bridging the gap between political parties in the country".

"But, after preaching the way how to rule a country, unfortunately our Opposition Leader was not present on this important occasion". Media Secretary in a Government institution, H. A. Samarasinghe blamed the main Opposition UNP for not participating at the Independence Day celebrations in Colombo.

"It's a shame for the country as all the foreign diplomats and other delegates witnessed the UNPs absence on that day. This also clearly shows that there is no unity among political parties in the South".

Samarasighe said at least the Opposition Leader should have participated in the ceremony at Galle Face even for about one hour.

"But, I feel the UNPs participation as the main opposition is vital. Because the international community always seek the participation of the main opposition at official functions".

Retired Executive in a Forwarding Company, Berty Gunasekara said the UNP's participation at the Independence Day ceremony was not vital, because they too conducted series of religious ceremonies countrywide to coincide with the ceremony".

A grocery shop owner, Supun Priyankara of Wellawatta said that there was nothing wrong in the non participation of the UNP at the Independence Day ceremony.

"It is wrong if the UNP had sabotaged the ceremony on that day.

Fathima Sahabdeen of Modera asked the UNP leadership to forget everything happen in the past and try to bridge a close rapport with the President in order to bring a lasting solution to the ethnic crisis.

A Chartered Accountant, Suresh Arulpragasam of Battaramulla said that there is no enmity among political leaders like in our country.

"Therefore, I request the members of all political parties here to work unity for the sake of people in the country".

Pix.: Kavinda Perera