Ranatunge calls for votes for MR stalwarts

• Argues only those who stayed with Rajapaksa post-2015 defeat can be trusted not to crossover 
• Vasu says Govt. will protect freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest

Investment Promotion, Tourism and Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday called on Sri Lanka

Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) supporters to support candidates at the upcoming parliamentary election, who stayed true to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa after he lost his presidency in 2015. 

Speaking to supporters in Minuwangoda, Ranatunga said those who stayed loyal to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, even after he lost his presidency, should get the chance to be elected to Parliament. He noted those who were loyal to Rajapaksa would be the best to support build support for the right policies in parliament.

“It is important to recognise those loyal to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as they will not cross sides for any personal benefits. We need politicians who will not change their policies for any personal gains under any circumstance in the next parliament,” he said.

According to Ranatunga those who were members of the previous administration should also be held responsible for the current challenges Sri Lanka is facing. Ranatunga argued those who were loyal to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa were witch-hunted by the previous administration and Sri Lanka Freedom Party members who had decided to be part of the former national Government had failed to stand by their colleagues.

He also noted that despite former President Maithripala Sirisena becoming the Chairman of the alliance between the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) that would not absolve him from negative decisions made by him when he was in office.

Ranatunga recalled Sirisena’s statement just ahead of the 2015 General Election that he would not support Mahinda Rajapaksa to become the Prime Minister, which the Minister argued frustrated many Rajapaksa supporters and cost votes to the party.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters at SLPP Head office, former Parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara said the Government would not block any peaceful protests under any circumstance and pledged to protect freedom of expression.

“The Government does not intend to block the public’s right to express their views or the right to peaceful protest. Even Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe stated the public could have a protest while maintaining social distance, therefore we will not block people from enjoying their freedom,” he said.