By Jayashika Padmasiri

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday challenged former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s faction in Parliament to showcase 113 supporters who want him to become the Prime Ministerial candidate.

Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam yesterday addressing a press briefing in Colombo said that on 8 January the confidence the Rajapaksa supporters had was lost and pro-Rajapaksa politicians had been organising meetings and rallies around the country to make Rajapaksa the Prime Ministerial candidate instead of attending to real public issues.

“We challenge them to show 113 MPs who want Rajapaksa as the Prime Ministerial candidate. However, these politicians are not talking about the problems of the people and that proves that they are not considering the wellbeing of the public. But the People will show who they support at the next general election,” Kariyawasam said.

He criticised former Minister Bandula Gunawardena’s threat to go to Geneva and report to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) against the present Government.

“During the previous regime, when we said that we will go to Geneva and complain against them, they said that Geneva consists of pro-LTTE supporters and called us traitors of the country. Therefore, now when they are going to go to Geneva, does that make them traitors as well?” Kariyawasam questioned.

The Education Minister also spoke about the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) stating that if former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had not done anything to be guilty of he should be able to go to the FCID or to the Bribery Commission and face the inquiries.

“A person who has done nothing wrong will never be proven guilty by the FCID,” he added.

UNP ready for polls with or without 20A

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday said that the Government plans to call for a general election soon either with the 20th Amendment passed in parliament or not.

Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that the UNP plans to create a government with a majority of 120 seats in parliament through the next general election.

“We are planning to introduce the 20A in the future and are at present having discussions about this matter. 

However, we will go for an election as soon as possible, according to the prevailing electoral system as there is no time to introduce a new electoral system right now. Therefore, there is a possibility to go for an election either after the 20A is passed in Parliament or without it being passed,” Kariyawasam added.