Hakeem says United National Front Govt. formed joining Sirisena yielded bitter experiences

SLMC Leader, Minister Rauff Hakeem said that the United National Front Government formed joining with President Maithripala Sirisena has yielded bitter experiences during the regime.

Minister Rauff Hakeem

The Minister was speaking at the opening of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board office, in Galewela on Sunday (17).

The Minister recalled that due to surreptitious moves, the then existing government wasthrown out for 52 days. “However, we continued to fight against the fake government in the streets, courts and on all public platforms. That illegal government led to serious economic setback in the country,” he added.

It is sad to recall that the former president and the present president connived to topple the legally constituted government, Hakeem said. 

“This joint action by these two leaders had not only brought discredit to the country but also affected the foreign trade, and the economy of the Nation by crippling the development projects of Sri Lanka,” he said, describing it as a major traitorous action in the recent annals of the island. The Minister pointed out that the United National Front was determined to function successfully continuously with the support of the minority parties and also with the cooperation of the Tamil National Alliance. 

The Minister said that it should be noted that27 members absconded from voting at the end of the second reading of the budget, which clearly indicated the disunity among the opposition members in the Parliament.

“Whatever happens, the UNP will put forward a candidate who would muster the support of majority of the voters at the upcoming presidential elections,” the Minister stressed.

“Ever since we came to power in 2015, we have spent Rs. 1,150 billion to supply pure drinking water for consumers. We have also embarked on a comprehensive ‘PrajaJalaAbimanaya’ program to supply clean potable water to 1,000 villages throughout the country by September this year,” he explained.

Under the Ibbankatuwa Water Treatment project, around Rs. 10,000 million will be spent to supply pure drinking water from Ibbankatuwa Tank which would supply clean water to 18 GramaNiladari divisions in Galewala area.

Arrangements are also being made to supply water to 15 more GramaNiladari divisions from the Naula Water Supply project, Minister said.

National Water Supply and Drainage Board Chairman K.A. Ansar, senior officials and general public were present at the event.