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| Wednesday, 2 March 2005 |
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Politics | |
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| I will never allow UPFA to break up - Anura Bandaranaike Industry, Tourism and Investment Promotion Minister and SLFP Senior Vice-President Anura Bandaranaike said the UPFA Government was elected to power to find solutions the cost of living, unemployment and other burning problems of the people and he would never allow it to break up under the instigation of the UNP. He was addressing a special meeting attended by Provincial Councillors and members of Pradeshiya Sabhas representing the Gampaha District on Sunday, February 27. Minister Bandaranaike said the SLFP had been opposing the Executive Presidential system from 1978. The need to abolish this system and hand over executive powers to Parliament was propounded by late Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike from that time. Although the entire electoral system needed change it could not be fulfilled to date. The present government too subscribed to the view that the Presidential system should be changed and executive powers should be transferred back to Parliament. It should be emphasised that the government came to power promising to effect this change. Minister Bandaranaike said at this time when the President was making strenuous efforts to solve the biggest problem faced by the country following the tsunami catastrophe certain parties were engaged in treacherous acts against the people by working according to the UNP agendas. The UNP's sole desire was to bring about the downfall of the President somehow and send the Bandaranaike's into political oblivion. This is clearly evident from the behaviour of certain sections of the private media servile to the UNP, he said. Minister Bandaranaike said the media had no right to select leaders. "Today certain sections of the private media are trying hard to select our party leader. On the contrary the State media does not try to select the leader of the UNP." Mr. Bandaranaike said "You are specially aware that the people of this country gave us a mandate on April 2 last year. Two months later our alliance won election to all 7 Provincial Councils. One reason for this victory was the people's faith in this government's ability to fulfil the promises given to them. But the UNP government collapsed within 2 years, because we insisted that Ranil's anti-people activities should be halted by making use of the provisions of the JRJ Constitution. The UPFA was formed with great difficulty to steer the country along a new path. This has provided a new vista and a great opportunity for Sri Lankan politics." Minister Bandaranaike said "This government will not be allowed to crash. If the government falls the Provincial Councils too will automatically fall. We should win back all Pradesheeya Sabhas next year. A Presidential election will come thereafter and that can be seen then. Some times, there may be a Referendum next year and we should be prepared for it from now on. Deputy Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Provincial Minister Prasanna Ranatunge, Provincial Council member Dulip Wijesekera and Cecil Bandara Senaratne of the SLFP headquarters were among others present. |
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