RAD predicts UNP downfall after Budget

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO: The UNP says Rata Iwarai Perata Warew (Country is finished (destroyed), Come forward!) but we have to say Pakshaya Iwarai Perata Warew (The party is destroyed, Come forward!), United National Party Democratic Group Secretary R.A.D. Sirisena said.

Addressing the weekly press briefing at Seth Sevana, Colombo yesterday, he said it is sad to see the present status of the UNP which celebrates its 61st birthday this year. There will be a downfall in the UNP after the next Budget.

The Opposition Leader does not know how to get people into the party and how to keep people who join the party. That is why persons like Mahinda Wijesekara, Bandula Gunawardena, Anura Bandaranaike and Karu Jayasuriya left the UNP. The same thing will happen to S.B. Dissanayake. He chased away Karu Jayasuriya and gave the deputy leadership to Mangala Samaraweera. A majority of UNPers desist the leader, Sirisena said.

"The Opposition leader always take advice from Western consultants and we saw how it went wrong and how we were defeated. He had a Western consultant who was paid a monthly salary of US $ 19,940 to tell Wickremesinghe how to dress", he said.