Colombo North UNP Organizer quits in disgust

Colombo North United National Party Organiser and UNP Working Committee member K.B. Lilantha Perera yesterday quit his posts calling on all irrespective of political differences to join hands to strengthen the hands of the President to rebuild the nation.

The former MP expressed dismay at his party's attitude towards felicitating the country's war heroes against the death of his own father and sister who were victims of a terrorist bomb blast.

The son of former Deputy Mayor of Colombo K.B. Christy Perera who died in the Thotalanga bomb blast in 1994 along with sister K.B. Sriyani Gunasekera, Lilantha Perera says it was the paramount duty of all at present to provide strength to the President to rebuild the country.

In his letter of resignation to party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe the former MP states: "It is no secret that my father K.B. Christy Perera who was former Deputy Mayor of Colombo and sister K.B. Sriyani Gunasekera was killed during the Presidential Election rally in Thotalanga in 1994.

"Since then a countless number of people have been killed by terrorist attacks. However, the war that raged for over 30 years and which could not be brought to end even during the tenure of their party was been successfully concluded by the President permanently."

"I trust that who have not forgotten the profound grief and sorrow we underwent by this tragic loss. But the President, the Defence Secretary and Security Forces had succeeded in giving a value to the blood spilled by my father and sister as well as all the rest."

"Based on this premise, I organised a commemorative event in front of my late father's statue on June 20 to pay tribute to the President, the Defence Secretary, the Security Forces and the IGP, since I consider it as my bounden duty to do so.

I am also happy to state that I did not hesitate to invite both the Government and opposition members for the event.

However, before this event, on the 18th instant you summoned me to your residence and questioned me at length about the commemoration.

"I cannot view this victory with callousness and from the view of party politics or political colours."

"It is with regret I note policy followed by the party in this regard."