Ranil vows action against Sirikotha attackers

By Chamitha Kuruppu

The ongoing chaotic situation in the United National Party worsened with yesterday’s arrest of a rebellious group over an attack at party head-quarters.

Controversial parliamentarian Maithree Gunarathne and Shiran Lakthilake who were suspended from the party membership a few months ago by profession, and eight others were remanded till 2 January by the Mirihana Magistrate on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a media briefing said he will use all his powers as the leader of UNP against the party members who were behind the Sirikotha attack on Election Day.

Wickremsinghe appeared confident but sounded cynical as he addressed the media following his victory on Monday’s election, defeating Karu Jayasuriya. 

The UNP leader openly blamed certain private media institutions for putting his life and the party in danger.

Both unity and discipline are equally essential to take this party forward and we will not tolerate anyone who acts against our principals, Wickremesinghe said adding, “The working committee and the parliamentary group have urged me to use maximum power in my capacity as the leader of UNP to take action against the people who are behind the attack on Sirikotha. I will use all my powers and take stern action against them.”

“It is not a secret that Sirikotha, party headquarters is a sacred place to all UNPers. It is a sad situation that such a sacred place was damaged by mobs on Monday,” Wickremesinghe pointed out.

He noted that although the party has not yet worked out the total damage caused by Monday’s attack the damage on his vehicle was over Rs. 500,000. “The damage on Tissa Attanayake’s vehicle is over Rs. 1 million. The mobs have taken our party logo. Damage caused to the shrine and computers have not been calculated yet.”

The UNP leader also pointed out that Karu Jayasuriya will not be representing the working committee in 2012 since he no longer holds the position of Deputy Leader. “We have not decided who will represent the working committee in 2012.”

Meanwhile, local media reported that Karu Jayasuriya, who lost his deputy leader post at Monday’s election, has decided to vacate his office room in the parliamentary complex on Tuesday. According to reports, Jayasuriya’s staff packed his belongings so he could vacate the office room.