RAJITHA, CHAMPIKA, ARJUNA AND CROWD TO THE UNP...

RAJITHA, CHAMPIKA, ARJUNA AND CROWD TO THE UNP ....

HIRUNIKA ON THE FENCE

After former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his clan

achieved authority and power and secured the opportunity of contesting for the forthcoming election the political change that occured within the last week after that portends signs that it is to conclude on a drastic note during the last few days. Accordingly, those who got together with President Maithri and were talking ill of the former President on Presidential stage are now facing a situation where they cannot overlook their own conscience and are unable to remain in the UPFA any further with them and carry on activities in collaboration with them.

According to news received so far, a number of 30 or so from the Maithri faction, an Alliance group have decided to contest under the symbol of the Elephant from the United National Party by affiliating themselves Eksath Yahapalana Peramuna at the next General Election with the only exception being Minister Duminda Dissanayaka, it is reported. Among them it is learned are Rajitha Senaratna, Arjuna Ranatunga, M.K.D.S. Gunawardena, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Athureliye Rathana Thero. S.B. Dissanayaka, Piyasena Gamage, Reginold Cooray, Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Hemal Gunasekera, Neomal Perera, Wijaya Dahanayaka, Erle Gunasekera and Sarath Amunugama. In the meantime, Mrs. Hirunika Premachandra who was chosen first at the last Provincial Council Election from Colombo had been to the place where the UPFA nominations were signed and had rejected placing her signature saying that she would think about this further, it was reported.

Minister Rajitha Senaratna who addressed a radio channel this morning said that because of Mahinda being taken in on an unanticipated decision, he and his crowd had thought of switching over to an alternative course of action and since there is no sufficient time to form a different Party as such and instead of moving towards such a political destitute state it would be better to choose the UNP which dedicated themselves towards 'yahapalanaya' at the last General Election and had thus arrived at this decision. He finally said that 41 civil organisations and several leading Parties are behind his decision and that other people and Parties are moved to contest from the symbol of the Elephant of the UNP in future.