Opposition must demonstrate by deed their claim of eschewing malicious politics - Malwatte Maha Nayaka Thera tells Prof. G.L. Peiris
 

by Asela Kuruluwansa

The opposition must demonstrate by deed their claim of eschewing malicious politics, states the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Maha Nayaka Thera, the Maha Nayaka of the Malwatte Chapter.

The Ven. Maha Nayaka Thera made this observation when UNP media spokesman Professor G. L. Peiris called on the Ven. Thera at his official abode, the Maha Viharaya of Kandy, yesterday(25) morning. The Maha Nayaka Thera further observed that the people at large are today more than convinced of the double cross policy of Sri Lankan politics.

The two principal political parties in the island pull in opposite directions whenever there is a national problem like the cattle pulling towards the hard soil while the buffalo pulls towards the marshy land. Any of our major problems will not find any solution as long as this attitude persists, stated the Maha Nayaka Thera.

Professor G. L. Peiris in response said that if both parties approach the problem with sincerity and a sense of purpose without deceiving the masses, positive results could be obtained and that the fervent hope of the UNP is to eradicate malicious politics.

When the Maha Nayaka Thera spoke of the ongoing controversy of the 100 metre limit relating to the tsunami reconstruction issue, Professor Peiris stated that enormous foreign assistance has been received for tsunami rehabilitation activities, but the displaced tsunami victims are yet languishing in temporary tents. He further said that out of the funds donated by the World Bank to construct houses for the tsunami victims, the Government is in a position to allocate Rs. 400,000 for each displaced family.

The UNP which holds sway in 97 per cent of local authorities is ever prepared to cooperate with the Government on the post tsunami reconstruction programme, he said. He further said that errant school principals found guilty of irregular admissions to grade I should be dealt with severely after an unbiased inquiry and that such inquiries must be conducted either by the Public Service Commission, or by the Bribery or Corruption Commission or by the Criminal Investigation Department.