President pledges to punish wrongdoers irrespective of party affiliations

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President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday stressed that the highest possible punishment would be meted out to all those who commit fraud and corruption, irrespective of their political leanings, party affiliations, official positions or social status.

The President made this declaration addressing a public rally at the Diyasen Pura in Polonnaruwa. The rally was organised to ensure the victory of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party at the forthcoming Local Government elections.

Addressing the gathering, the President said, “Everyone saw how the Government MPs and the Opposition MPs behaved in Parliament yesterday, getting into fights and calling each other thieves. They accuse each other as thieves but people in this country know who the thieves are. I will punish the fraudsters, wrongdoers and those who break the law without considering their party leanings, political positions, or social status. I will recommend the harshest punishment on them,” the President said.

He asked the people to elect people-friendly and honest representatives. “I will state this very clearly, if you cast the vote for the ‘Hand’ symbol you are not going to be electing a person to a particular board but for the whole area.”

President Sirisena said that he would take the correct disciplinary actions on those who were in his party if they did any wrong.

“I will take the correct disciplinary actions within my party. I will not forgive any wrongdoers. They will be given the highest possible punishments and transformed into people-friendly, free of corruption, and honest people’s representatives, who will listen to the people’s voices,” he added.

North Central Province Chief Minister Peshala Jayaratne and Governor of Northern Province Reginald Cooray also attended the meeting.