SLFP claims UNP is spreading propaganda

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday accused the United National Party (UNP) of joining with several organisations and advertising firms to spread propaganda. 

SLFP National Orga-niser Susil Premajayantha told the media that they had gathered information about the UNP’s secret mudslinging campaign against the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

“We have recently found some derogatory posters in Boralesgamuwa. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa appears on those posters as a caricature. The UNP has robbed enough funds for these kinds of cheap political stunts,” Premajayantha alleged.

Commenting on the UNP’s economic policies, SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said: “A kilogram of imported dried sprats had been selling for Rs.750. It means that a single sprat would be Rs. 4. We believe that this is the first time that dried sprats prices have increased so drastically. Similarly, a kilogram of dhal has been priced between Rs. 220 to Rs. 240.”

He further alleged that the UNP’s manifesto and proposals over the county’s economy were not based on reality. 

Attacking the Janatha Vimu-kthi Peramuna (JVP), UPFA Colombo District candidate and former Minister Bandula Gunawardena alleged that JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka had been making false comments on the Balance of Trade and several other economic issues. “Dissanayaka is talking loudly about the Balance of Trade and he had some proposals on how to reduce the deficit of the balance. However, they were the party which destroyed Sri Lanka’s economy by creating an atmosphere of terror,” Gunawardena charged. 

SLFP ministers leave Govt.

By Chamodi Gunawardana

Several Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Ministers who are currently holding ministerial and deputy ministerial positions have decided to resign from their portfolios. 

Deputy Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training and former MP Thilanga Sumathipala yesterday revealed that all of them had handed over their resignation letters to President Maithripala Sirisena. 

“Two weeks ago we submitted our letters and the resignations were valid from 30 July. We assumed duties as Ministers following a decision made by the SLFP Central Committee. However, we resigned without the Central Committee’s approval due to our personal decisions,” Sumathipala exposed.

“Our goals have been achieved. Therefore it is useless to hold these portfolios further,” the resignation letters said.

They went on to state that all SLFP ministers and deputy ministers who had decided to resign did not want to create a National Government with the United National Party (UNP). 

“We will give our fullest support to the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to create its own Government after the forthcoming general election,” the letter mentioned.