Opposition embarking on aimless journey - Media Minister

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa yesterday alleged that the Opposition UNP had bungled their affairs in many fronts, and was embarking on an aimless journey with their only intention being grabbing power at any cost.

Citing the twin issues of the No Faith Motion on Minister Milinda Moragoda, and the UNP’s about turn on their liberal approach to the ethnic conflict, Minister Yapa pointed out that the UNP had agreed in principle to the liberal solution in the Oslo Declaration during the UNP regime.

Speaking to the media at a meeting to announce Cabinet decisions yesterday, Minister Yapa noted that nobody was aware of what was happening with several UNP MPs airing diverse views.

“MP Ravi Karunanayake has stated that the party was abandoning their liberal stand, while MP Tissa Attanayake has stated that the UNP never had such a policy and S. B. Dissanayake has come out with an idea saying that the party should not bow down to the wishes of the JVP”, Yapa said.

He also added that Mangala Samaraweera too has joined the melee with his own version where he states that the people were not afraid of the liberal solution.

“So who’s version is correct” Yapa questioned while describing the main Opposition as a rudderless ship. There was a serious split in the UNP, regarding the No Faith Motion on Minister Milinda Moragoda, Yapa said while pointing out that several prominent UNPers had come out openly against the decision.

The Media and Information Minister also refuted recent allegations by several media and Opposition politicians regarding the Government’s conduct in international affairs. In fact the Government had gained credibility in the eyes of the international community, Minister Yapa said, citing the recent UN sessions, the IPU deliberations in Geneva and the President’s forthcoming visit to India.