SLFP crossover group to form formidable Opposition: SB

By Skandha Gunasekara

SLFP MP S. B. Dissanayake, who along with 15 other SLFPers crossed over to the Opposition on Tuesday (8 May), asserted that the group would join with other Opposition parties in Parliament to form a formidable movement against the Government and the UNP.

Dissanayake made these remarks in Parliament yesterday (9 May), while addressing the House on behalf of the 16 rebel SLFPers, adding that their numbers would strengthen the Opposition.  

Upon receiving permission by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to make a statement, Dissanayake thanked President Maithripala Sirisena for allowing them to leave the Government. “Sixteen of us crossed over to the Opposition on Tuesday. Among the 16 are former Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, State Ministers and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament. We thank the President for permitting us to work with our conscience and sit in the Opposition. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa welcomed us warmly with respect. MPs Dinesh Gunawardena, Udaya Gammanpila, Wimal Weerawansa, Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Arumugam Thondaman, Douglas Devananda too welcomed us.”

Dissanayake went on to say that the group of 16 would actively take up the responsibilities of being part of the political opposition in Parliament. “We would like to note that we will extend our support and work with the Opposition Leader R Sampanthan and the TNA along with Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the JVP.”

He went on to say that despite leaving the Government and crossing over to the Opposition, they had no personal issues with any Government rank MP. “We have no personal qualms with the Prime Minister and the UNP. They are our friends, the same as Minister Rauff Hakim and the SLMC and Rishard Bathiudeen. We have no issue with them.

“We supported the No Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister. We did so in accordance with our conscience. The Prime Minister proved that he has the confidence of Parliament. Therefore we joined the Opposition, leaving the Prime Minister to run his Government. We joined the Opposition ranks and our conscience is clear. We will join hands with all these forces to bring about a formidable force against the UNP. We will stand by the Opposition in all their just struggles. We have no criticism against the positive work of Government.”

He then called on the Government to carry out an investigation into the allegedly missing finances of the Samurdhi fund, while taking full responsibility of the funds management. “The Prime Minister, addressing a UNP rally, said that Rs 6750 million from the Samurdhi fund has gone missing. It is wrong. If even 67 cents goes missing, it is wrong. We call upon the Government to commence investigations and find what happened to the funds. I will accept full responsibility for the financial management of the Samurdhi fund during my time of holding the subject Ministry. Officials including Chairman of the Samurdhi Dr Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne have signed a document denying the statement of the Prime Minister. The charge raised by the Prime Minister is very serious. We call upon the Prime Minister to inform the House of the truth behind his statement soon.”