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Hiccups in UNP as members defy Party orders and attend rally
Another crisis is looming within the United National Party (UNP) following the decision taken to suspend 15 members who attended the Common Opposition Alliance rally in Colombo last Thursday.
The former Army chief greeting the crowd
Puttalam District MP Palitha Range Bandara who was among those who attended the rally said he has not been officially asked for an explanation nor summoned before a disciplinary committee by the Party so far despite public announcements that those who defied the party decision and attended the meeting would be punished after an inquiry.
“We attended a meeting summoned by members of the Maha Sangha and not by anyone else. We do not want to strengthen the government but we want to strengthen the opposition and for that we need to support of the clergy,” the MP told the Sunday Times.
Among the 15 members who were suspended are MPs Palitha Thevarapperuma and Asoka Abeysinghe and several Provincial Council and Local Government members. UNP General Secretary MP TIssa Attanayaka said that the 15 members who were suspended would be asked to explain why they defied a Party decision and thereby breached Party discipline.
The meeting last Thursday at the Hyde Park in Colombo was organised by the Eksath Bhikkhu Peramuna to muster public support to abolish the Executive Presidency.
Nearly 3,000 people attended the meeting despite the heavy rains that lashed Colombo on Thursday with the address by former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka being the highlight of the meeting.
Mr. Fonseka said the Executive Presidency should be abolished and the dictatorial tendencies of the present leadership must be stopped, “There is no democracy in the country and the freedom of the people is being trampled upon. All the positive features in the Executive Presidency have been utilised in a dictatorial manner, “he said.
 Above and below: Ardent supporters braving the rain |
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Eksath Bhikkhu Peramuna Secretary Ven. Walapone Sumangala Thera said similar meetings would be held in all parts of the country to educate the public on the need to abolish the Executive Presidency. “This Government has ruled for 14 years and has not taken any steps to abolish the Executive Presidency. The Opposition needs to be strengthened to fulfil this task,” he said.
The Thera also said the Legislature and the judiciary were of no use until the Executive Presidency is
abolished.
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