Ranil no longer popular in West; MPs voted for perks not for the people: Rajitha

By Darshana Abayasinghe

SJB MP Dr. Rajitha Senarathne

SJB MP Dr. Rajitha Senarathne yesterday alleged the parliamentarians who voted for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the House did so to obtain monetary benefits, vehicle permits and compensation for

their damaged houses and not for the welfare of the people.

“The SJB had come together with MP Dullas Alahapperuma of the SLPP with a plan to take the country out of its present predicament, but as demonstrated by the vote, the voice of the Sri Lankan people is not reflected within Parliament,” Senarathne told journalists.

He remarked the new President’s first act was to unleash violence on peaceful protestors, and charged that private groups had been deployed to launch the attack under the guise of the military. He added that this action was condemned by all international observers, who Wickremasinghe claims are friends.  Senarathne says as Wickremesinghe noted no one from the diplomatic community has condoned with him for the arson attack on his house, this goes to show that he no longer enjoys the respect he once did from Western nations.

The SJB MP added that Wickremesinghe is now fishing for MPs to form a national Government, which he admitted was a need of the hour, but said such a Government must be one that represents the will of the people.