The death of dozens of fishermen who lost their lives during adverse weather conditions that prevailed over the island a few days ago is a ‘national tragedy’, UNP MP Wijedasa Rajapakshe stated.

He explained that this was reason why he along with Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe and UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake decided to attend some of the funerals of the fallen fishermen in Balapitiya.

Speaking at a press conference held today (June 13), the MP said that they had heard that UPFA MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena along with some others had been under the influence of alcohol at one such funeral.

Bringing to memory the incident that unraveled in Balapitiya, MP Rajapakshe said that the unruly group had attempted to drag the UNP members out of their vehicles and assault them but the situation was soon brought under control by the Ambalangoda and Ahungalla police.

He reminded the media that Sajin Vass Gunawardena was unable to help the very people who voted for him when they requested him to secure the services of a helicopter to find their loved-ones who were lost at sea. However, the MP pointed out that Gunawardena had given a media organization a helicopter at Rs.65,000 per hour to film the tragedy.

Rajapakshe expressed his regret for the leaders who brought people like this to the parliament stating that MP Gunawardena attends many international human rights conferences including in Geneva bringing the country to further disrepute.

He added that the UPFA MP was trying to teach the media lessons in ethics while not having any ethical idea about his own speech.

Finally, the UNP MP warned that if stern action is not taken regarding this incident, steps will be taken to take the incident to Geneva as well as informing the Commonwealth.