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Photo focus: You won’t have to wait long for new govt: MR tells Ratnapura rally
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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday claimed that the Joint Opposition (JO) was prepared to form a government with the support of a broad front.
Addressing the JO rally in Ratnapura, Mr. Rajapaksa further added that the people would not have to wait “three or four years” for a new government, hinting at a possible change in government before General Elections in 2020. “It’s not so hard to change the number of heads in Parliament. Those who crossed over to that side will be sitting with us soon.” He emphasised no MP from the JO would cross over to a government that was now “a sinking ship.”
Mr. Rajapaksa also asked the crowd what they wanted. When the crowd demanded that he form a new party, the former President stated, “I’m checking to see what you want. I’m ready to deliver.” There was however, no announcement regarding the formation of a new party.
Mr. Rajapaksa went onto criticise the government on a range of issues, including alleged attempts to privatise state institutions and alleged intimidation of government officials. He also termed the proposed new Constitution as a conspiracy designed to divide the country, and pledged the JO would work to defeat it.
Law enforcement arms such as the CID, FCID and the Bribery Commission, were today being used as instruments of intimidation against those who disagreed with the government, he further charged.
Claiming that intelligence agencies had been ordered to track those who visited him, Mr. Rajapaksa added that this was unnecessary. “I’m not one to secretly hatch conspiracies. I play the game in the open. I’m not one to play games after eating hoppers together the night before,” he said.
Hygiene is not a strong-point at the Dambulla Base Hospital. The cess pits are overflowing... and disgusting
The son of man has no place to lay his head... In this hospital at least
Even post-surgery patients are forced to lie on the unclean floor.
Clogged drains, pups, muck and patients all share the same space
Many of the patients require surgery... this picture of the toilets at the hospital tells its own tale
Families of patients perform tasks normally allocated to staff