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The Deputy Ministers' and MPs Forum has expressed concern over the statement attributed to JVP Propaganda Secretary MP Wimal Weerawansa, which demeaned the dignity of the Presidency and also personally attacked President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga at a public rally held recently.

Aviation Services Deputy Minister Dilan Perera, Convenor of the Forum, in a media release referring to the alleged statement made by the JVP propaganda secretary, which denigrated the good name of the President and the United People's Freedom Alliance said that the JVP should refrain from making such utterances in future as such shallow talks favour the enemy.

The statement said: "Our attention has been drawn to a statement allegedly to have made by JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa MP. Media supporting the United National Party utilises such statements to create division within the Alliance we have formed with sacrifice and commitment. If, in fact Weerawansa has made such a statement, we express our deep unhappiness over it".

"The private electronic media had given publicity to the said statement and repeat it in their channels. There has been no denial or a correction from Weerawansa. Hence we are compelled to accept the said statement as true".

"The media favouring the United National Party uses the statement attributed to Weerawansa to create rifts within the United People's Freedom Alliance.

If in fact Weerawansa has made such a statement, we express our deep regrets and unhappiness over it. "We are also deeply shocked to note the references made by Weerawansa in respect of the personality and temper of the President.

During the United National Front regime, the President was subjected to untold sufferings and humiliations both as a person and as the Head of the State. With the UNF coming into power in 2001 over 70 party loyalists were killed.

Over 3,000 were subjected to various forms of physical and mental torture and were rendered disabled. Party loyalists were jailed on false allegations and their houses burgled, properties were looted and plundered. Many were sacked from their jobs.

"They made inroads in to the President's Security Division and made false allegations against the officers attached to the PSD and there was a threat to the life of the President. Ministers at the Cabinet meeting attacked the President with false charges levelled against her.

The media gave wide publicity to such events. The responses made by the President to these allegations did not receive the same publicity.

"The UNF tried its best to prune her powers. They addressed her in the most degrading and disgraceful terms at the Cabinet meetings and she had to face all these humiliations all the time. She faced a most problematic situation which even a man, leave alone a woman, would not be able to face," the media release said.

"There is nothing to make us wonder if the President had undergone a very deep mental and physical agony and if her face gave that kind of expression at that time. That was very natural. But what we regret most is to note that without being realistic, some have spoken about her in this manner.

This is most disappointing specially when this has been done by a responsible leader like Wimal Weerawansa. We are appalled by such a statement," the releases added.

"The people in this country know well that such utterances bring favour to the enemy. It is the ardent wish and determination of the people of this country that no room should be given to weaken the Alliance despite obstructions, setbacks, difficulties and challenges it has to face.

We believe that the United People's Freedom Alliance should not act in such way to give even temporary satisfaction to the UNF and give them room to carry out their false propaganda to canvass support of the masses for them.

We also believe that despite policy and theoretical differences between the SLFP and the JVP we should work in unity further, not to destroy the faith and trust placed by the poor masses of this country.

"Hence the Deputy Ministers' and MPs Forum appeal to the JVP and others to work towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people and to strengthen the UPFA."

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