Pohottuwa similar to a terrorist cell - UNP

By Skandha Gunaskeara

The UNP yesterday compared the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to a terrorist cell, with sole allegiance to Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera, addressing an election rally in Kotte yesterday, said that the SLPP was an aimless party with the sole purpose of supporting Rajapaksa. 

“The ‘pohottuwa’ party is like a cult or a terrorist group. It has no policies. It has no goals. It has no vision. All it does is support the causes of the former President. Their only policy is ‘Mahinda’,” he said.

Noting that President Maithripala Sirisena had recently stated that he was contemplating contesting for the Presidency again, Minister Perera cautioned President Sirisena that he had been elected President on the promise of abolishing the Executive Presidency. 

“We, along with the late Ven. Sobitha Thero, supported you and got you elected on your pledge to eradicate the executive presidency and vest more powers in Parliament. If you are thinking of contesting for the Presidency again, remember that you will be breaking the pledges you made to the nation when they voted you into office in 2015. It will be against the policies of the Unity Government,” the Deputy Minister said. 

The Deputy Minister vowed that the Government would amend the current electoral system to ensure more female representation in Parliament. “We will bring in a new electoral system for the Parliamentary elections as well. The new system will ensure at least 60 of the 225 MPs are female,” he said.