Former President Chandrika who goes to open bridge ... booed

Former President Chandrika who goes to open bridge ... booed

On the instance former President Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaika had arrived to declare open the Meewala - Bonegala new bridge day-before-yesterday (22) morning, Mr. Priyantha Pushpakumara of Attanagalla provincial council and Mr. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha, MP for Western provincial council and supporters have booed her and expressed their protest by shouting. Having paid scant reaction to their response she had proceeded to cut the ribbon in the process. It was mentioned on that occasion that the said bridge was erected utilising 700 lakhs given as a gift by the British government

on a request made by Late Mr. Anura Bandaranaika, former Speaker and Minister. Minister Mr. Faizer Mustapha, Deputy Minister Mr. Lasantha Alagiyawanna and MP Mr. Chandrasoma Saranalal had been present with the former President on this occasion to declare the said bridge and it was in that instance when Mr. Priyantha Pushpakumara, president of Attanagalla provincial council and Mr. Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha inclusive of supporters were holding signboards booing in continuous succession; thus launching a protest, it was reported.

On the placards were mentioned "is the bridge built by somebody else being declared open ... wearing any clothing?" ad "How can a bridge which was not built during the President's time ... being declared open now?" At that moment the former resident proceeded to cut the ribbon and declare open the bridge saying, "that is the democracy ... though we are hooted, we will go on our journey", even while in the midst of the protest.

Minister Faizer Mustapha who expressed his opinion after the bridge was declared open, remarked, "the onward path of the government cannot be stopped by hooting ... neither will we stop. We will go on developing the country on behalf of the masses. Those people who are hooting will not be able to stop it in any case". Deputy Minister of Finance and Mass Media said, "at the last Presidential election I worked for Mr. Mahinda Rajaaksa. But he was rejected by the masses. Instead of finding out why he was rejected by the people that way and to search for that reason and these development activities which are being carried out cannot be stopped  by hooting for nothing!" In the meantime though former President Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaika did not express any comments, left the atmosphere saying, "they will shout and stop when their mouths begin to ache ... there's no need to pay attention to those things".

(Warana Ananda E. Jayakody)