News
Police on maximum alert; rival parties intensify battle
Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera has sent instructions to OICs island-wide to stay on maximum alert as the new government and the ousted government began preparations for countrywide rallies to state their respective cases over the month-long Constitutional crisis following the October 26 sacking of the United National Front government.
With Parliament in a political gridlock, the United National Front (UNF) is planning protest rallies and a civil disobedience campaign in principal towns, and the new government is making arrangements to counter them through public events. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera told the Sunday Times yesterday that all police stations had been asked to keep emergency services such as ambulances and fire engines on stand-by to deal with any emergency situation, as fears spread that the stand-off between the new government and the ousted government could lead to a breakdown in law and order.
Last Friday, ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe chaired a meeting at the parliamentary complex to plan the party’s strategies. It was attended by UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim, Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, and Assistant LeaderRavi Karunanayake.
Besides a UNF rally in Kandy yesterday, plans are afoot for a long motorcade to travel from Colombo to Kataragama and thereafter to the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. It is being organised by Badulla District parliamentarian and former Minister Harin Fernando.
UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim told the Sunday Times that the UNF had invited “all like-minded groups,” including left partie,s to an alliance to demand “the restoration of democracy.” He said a trade union alliance and a civil disobedience campaign will also be launched against “this illegal government.”
In their campaign, t he government parties will focus on different electorates where public rallies are to be addressed by Premier Rajapaksa and other leaders. “We have made preparations for them and the campaign will begin next week,” Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told the Sunday Times.
These events, which will take to towns and villages the battles of the two warring political factions, come at a time when the new government will have no funds to operate from January 1 next year.
The Cabinet last Wednesday approved an On Account Vote and the matter is now with the Attorney General’s Department for scrutiny. A defeat of this, in terms of the Constitution, will see the Cabinet of Ministers stand dissolved.