“Every day is made April fool’s day by this regime”

"Now, the Rajapakse Govt. notorious for secret pacts with even terror groups is promoting another terrorist group – the armed Pillayan group (LTTE breakaway) in the East at the forthcoming Provincial elections. It is common knowledge that it is only the Police, armed forces and the Security personnel who can legally carry arms."
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(April 01, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Gayantha Karunatilleke, UNP M.P speaking to the media, (1Apr) wished that at least this Sinhala New Year will bring relief to the people although the Govt. is having no plans whatsoever towards achieving this end ,except nourishing itself and its largest Cabinet in the World of 108 Ministers !

Recalling the last Presidential elections, he said, but for the illicit deal with the LTTE,
Mahinda Rajapakse would not be in the Presidential seat now. And, if, Ranil Wickremesinghe, like Mahinda Rajapakse had compromised the country’s interests and the Party principles by agreeing to the LTTE conditions, Ranil Wickremesinghe would be the President now. This betrayal of the country by Rajapakse was exposed by none other than his own Ministers, Mangala Samraweera and Late Sooriarachchi, and party stalwarts who spearheaded his election campaign. When an inquiry was demanded by the Opposition, President started his characteristic dilly dallying hobby talking of a select Committee appointment which has still not materialized, he exclaimed.

UNP is one party that has since the winning of independence in 1948 never bowed to unscrupulous pressures or underhand activities, and diligently safeguarded Democracy.

Now, the Rajapakse Govt. notorious for secret pacts with even terror groups is promoting another terrorist group – the armed Pillayan group (LTTE breakaway) in the East at the forthcoming Provincial elections. It is common knowledge that it is only the Police, armed forces and the Security personnel who can legally carry arms. Hence, the Govt. allowing the Pillayan group to wield arms is unlawful and against Democratic principles. Of course, the UNP is certainly for any group coming into the Domocratic process, but, no group or person can be treated as above the law, he said.

The UNP which has decided to contest the Eastern Provincial Council elections is not going to give into the Govt.’s pressures just because the latter has now got jittery fearing election defeat. But, it is the duty of the Govt. to hold a fair and free election by disarming the Pillayan group, re establishing the dismantled STF camps and allowing independent Int. Monitors to oversee the election progress.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya came to Parliament to establish a ‘Dharma Rajaya’, has forgotten not only the Dharma Rajaya, but has also lost concern for its own clergy and respect for its saffron robes: it is now supporting the Pillayan group who killed brutally over 100 Buddhist priests, he exhorted.

- Sri Lanka Guardian