Govt. in crisis, says Maithri

Monday, 24 November 2014 00:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Forty-eight hours after he announced his intention to challenge President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a January poll, Maithripala Sirisena said the Government is facing a major crisis. “There has been a great shakeup. So there will be challenges for us going ahead,” the former Health Minister said, after discussions with Kotte Naga Vihare Chief Incumbent and architect of the common Opposition platform, Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero yesterday. He was accompanied to the temple by former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne who also defected on Friday, UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya and UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake. Sirisena vowed to carry out a clean campaign that was free of hate and vengeance. The former SLFP General Secretary, who was sacked from his posts by President Rajapaksa on Friday soon after his defection, said he was overwhelmed by the support of the public since the announcement of his candidacy. “I want this election to be non-violent and free of vengeance. I don’t want this campaign to be about mudslinging and character assassination,” he said. Sirisena also pledged to ensure that both the State and private media were free to report in Sri Lanka if he was elected President. Giving Sirisena his blessing as Opposition candidate, Sobitha Thero urged the Opposition not to resort to hate campaigns as they embark on their political journey. “Don’t make this about personal success,” the monk said, “make it about a principled success.” Several political party and civil society representatives participated in the meeting at the Naga Vihare. Later, Sirisena also attended the Lalith Athulathmudali Commemorative event with UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sobitha Thero and Senaratne at Deans Road, Colombo. (DB)

Maithripala Sirisena (C) stands near UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya (L) and Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero as he arrives for a meeting at Kotte Naga Viharaya Buddhist temple yesterday – Reuters/Dinuka Liyanawatte