UNP, a deserted party now - Danasiri Amaratunga
Nadira GUNATILLEKE
UPFA mayoral candidate for the Dehiwela–Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council
Danasiri Amaratunga said since both the central government and the
Provincial Councils are in the hands of the UPFA and as all policy
decisions are made by the government, it is only prudent to return a
council which has government backing.
“The central government makes all policy decisions. When we need to
tar a main road the MC cannot touch it because it belongs to the Road
Development Authority. What the MC can do is make a request to the
relevant minister of the central government to get it done. Without a
cordial relationship the MC cannot do this and the people have to
suffer. Both the central government and the Provincial Council belong to
the UPFA,” he said in an interview with the Daily News.
He said, I had been in the UNP for 20 years. I did a lot for the
party. But later on its leader did not treat me well and I was ill
treated by another UNP female politician in the Dehiwela–Mt. Lavinia
Municipal Council.
Therefore I decided to join hands with President Mahinda Rajapaksa
three years ago, even before the humanitarian operation ended. Since
then I have been with the President.
Amarathunga said that he had very good support from the community. “I
feel very sad about the UNP campaign. I have been a very good UNPer for
20 years. Did a lot for the UNP. The cream of the UNP is now with the
UPFA because of the mismanagement of the UNP. There are too many leaders
in the UNP and it does not look after its members and supporters. If a
member or a supporter fell into trouble, there is nobody to stand by
him/her. At least there is nobody to ask what has happened to him/her.”
“The UNP is deserted now. Even those who are still in the UNP are
very disappointed. The UPFA bus is full now. But President Rajapaksa
looked after me and my people in the Dehiwela–Mt. Lavinia MC. My
election campaign is free of alcohol and posters. It is alcohol which
creates all sorts of troubles, he said.
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