SLPP and CWC ink MoU to back GR

SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L Peiris and CWC Leader MP Arumugam Thondaman sign the MoU while Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, UPFA General Secretary MP Mahinda Amaraweera, MP Dinesh Gunawardena and other party officials look on

• SLPP says MoU will ensure Hill Country Tamils support GR
• Pledges to increase plantation workers daily wage to Rs. 1,000
• CWC says committed for GR’s victory 
• Wijedasa pledges to support GR

By Nuwan Senarathna 

In a move to gain the support of the Up Country Tamil community, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) pledging to back SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The MoU was signed at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) at an auspicious time in front of a packed crowd. SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris and CWC leader MP Arumugam Thondaman signed the MoU on behalf of their respective parties. Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa were also presented at the event. 

Speaking at the event, SLPP Chairman Prof. Peiris said the MoU proved that Hill Country Tamils would support Rajapaksa and that they had accepted Rajapaksa’s policies. He noted the Up Country Tamil community vote will show that the minorities have faith in Rajapaksa. 

“Gotabaya Rajapaksa has promised that he will increase the plantation workers’ daily wage up to Rs. 1000. Wage increase is a practically attainable goal. Gotabaya Rajapaksa has a mechanism to do that, which is why he has promised to do so,” Prof. Peiris said.  Prof. Peiris argued that only a few steps were needed to increase plantation workers’ daily wage. According to him, an increase in productivity and quality of tea will drive up revenue and enable companies to increase the daily wage. 

Speaking at the same event, CWC National organiser R. Rajadorai said their party would be committed towards Rajapaksa’s victory. He noted the CWC would organise a special campaign in the Hill Country to promote Rajapaksa’s policies. 

“The CWC national assembly unanimously decided to back Rajapaksa. We know what Rajapaksa is capable of. He can improve our livelihood. He has present how he will improve our livelihood in his policies, which gave us confidence in him,” Rajadorai said. 

Following the event, United National Party (UNP) MP Wijedasa Rajapakshe pledged his support to Gotabaya Rajapaksa, insisting it was moved to protect the country’s future. 

He charged that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has exercised presidential powers ever since President Maithripala Sirisena assumed power. He claimed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe had included the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in his portfolio, which in his view was a violation of the Monetary Law Act. 

Pic by Lasantha Kumara