UNP should not miss second chance - Aluthgamage

Nadira Gunatilleke

The United National Party (UNP) will miss the second opportunity to be a part of the country’s victory and progress if they don’t participate in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on solving the national issue, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage told the Daily News yesterday.

Minister Aluthgamage said that the UNP received the first opportunity to be a part of the country’s victory and win the hearts of the public, when they had the opportunity to support the government during the humanitarian operation.

“But unfortunately they missed it. They have another chance to achieve the same by taking part in the PSC. They will never receive another chance like this when President Mahinda Rajapaksa solves the national issue through the PSC and lead the terror free country towards developed status,” he said. He said the UNP does not like to participate in the PSC as they know that President Rajapaksa will solve the issue justifiably and permanently through the PSC.

“Once it is solved, the UNP will not be able to come to power for many years. They cannot come to power without the existence of the national issue because they will not have any topic to create their propaganda,” the minister said.

“The TNA and the JVP should take part in the PSC if they care about the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. The LLRC report is the first ever in depth study done on the ethnic issue.

The LLRC report has been praised locally and internationally.

The government has started to implement its recommendations through ministries. It cannot be done overnight. It takes time,” Minister Aluthgamage added.