UNP to boycott President’s swearing-in ceremony

Main opposition United National Party (UNP) yesterday informed its decision to boycott President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second swearing-in ceremony today.

Opposition supporters gather on the streets during a protest against government policies in Colombo November 18, 2010. Marxist student and trade unions are up in arms against the Sri Lankan government demanding for better facilities and salary hikes. REUTERS

UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya told a press conference that the party would boycott tomorrow’s swearing in ceremony as a mark of protest against the extravagant amounts of money spent for the event.

Jayasuriya said that former state heads had held simple swearing in ceremonies when elected to office.

According to the Deputy Leader, although the President is entitled to have a ceremony to mark his swearing into office for a second term, it should not be done by spending massive amount of state funds.

Meanwhile, the UNP and opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe has left for India on a three-day visit on Wednesday.