UPFA ready to pay any price to grab victory: Karu Jayasuriya

(January 14, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The United National Party (UNP) has vehemently condemned the murder of Kusumawathi Kuruppuarachchi, who was killed while on her way to attend a propaganda rally of Opposition Common Candidate General Sarath Fonseka. Issuing a release Deputy Leader of the Party Karu Jayasuriya says the United People’s Freedom Alliance is ready to pay any price to grab victory at the presidential election.

In his letter the UNP Deputy Leader points out that even the body of the 62-year-old victim Kusumawathi Kuruppuarachchi cannot be taken to her residence.

He notes that two strong UPFA activists have been identified as perpetrators of this crime. He adds that they are the followers of a politician from the Hambanthota district who attempted to engage in politics through thuggery.

While mentioning that there is no environment in the country where people can move around freely, Karu Jayasuriya pointed out that it is sad that one cannot vote for a party of their choice or work for the party.

Furthermore, he notes that these are fundamental rights of the people in a Democratic society.

The release goes on to say that by not taking action against the Minister who institutionalized thuggery and violence, the authorities have set a wrong precedent at village level.

The UNP Deputy Leader observes that the people who suffered for three decades as a result of war are now suffering due to a war that has been waged to protect power.

Moreover, Karu Jayasuriya emphasized that while there was no media freedom to reveal the true nature of things, it is moving towards a dictatorship while disrupting meetings and killing those who participate in them.

The UNP Deputy leader finally added that by uniting to defeat this effort, a tribute could be paid to the late Kusumawathi Kuruppuarachchi.