UNP crisis takes another turn

COLOMBO: The UNP's crisis over the CMC nomination list took a different turn yesterday with supporters of Mayoralty candidate Sirisena Cooray accusing senior Parliamentarian M.H. Mohamed of playing the lead role for the second time in an 'impeachment' style drama that disqualified the UNP from contesting.

Mohamed who earlier pledged support towards the candidature of Cooray later backed out to support billionaire businessman Thilanga Sumathipala who also attempted to make entry in the gallop to the Mayoralty.

Cooray associates claim that when the nominations list reached Mohamed's residence it had been carefully perused by former Deputy Mayor Azath Sally who had been with Mohamed.

According to these sources, allegations are now levelled at Mohamed and Sally over tampering with the list as Cooray loyalists claim that the list had been altered either at Mohamed's residence or on the way to the Kachcheri.

They further claimed that according to an interview given to a Sinhala daily by Azath Sally, the former Deputy Mayor had admitted that the names of all candidates were intact and in order.

"This confirms that Sanghadasa's name had been there in the list when it reached Mohamed," they pointed out.

They alleged that groups with vested interests were attempting to sling mud at MPs Maharoof and Moragoda for bringing back Cooray into the fold.

Cooray loyalists dismissed claims that the list had been tampered at a temple in Narahenpita by the secretaries of the UNP leader and Milinda Moragoda.

The Cooray camp has requested a fresh inquiry into the incident. Meanwhile, a two member team appointed by the UNP leader to probe the incident was expected to finalise their report last night.