Ranil helped Govt. to get two thirds, says Anura Kumara

Who paved the way for the government to obtain a two thirds majority in Parliament? It is none other than Ranil Wickremesinghe, charged Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) member and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Parliamentary Group Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

When meeting the President, Ranil does not discuss important issues. He only discusses trivial things like astrology and planet changes. The result is the government now on the verge of bringing in constitutional amendments to pave the way for President Mahinda Rajapaksa to seek a third term and remain in power forever, said Anura Kumara Dissanayake while addressing a meeting at Walasmulla today.

The government has now effectively suppressed divisions within its ranks. Earlier there were only 147 members with the government. It took a group from the United National Party (UNP). Recently it took another two. Yesterday Rauff Hakeem and his Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) have pledged to support the government while sitting in the Opposition. Who paved the way for the government to get 150 members or a two thirds majority in Parliament, asked Mr. Dissanayake. He accused Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe of being a weak leader who had helped the government to obtain the majority it needed.

There are strong possibilities for the Government to introduce constitutional amendments in Parliament on September 9. It is moving in that direction, claimed Anura Kumara. This is only to prolong Mahinda Rajapaksa’s power and not to safeguard democracy, he added.

The only way to strengthen democracy is to implement the 17th Amendment to the constitution and clauses related to democracy. But Mahinda Rajapaksa, without doing this, is bringing sweeping changes to remain in power as a dictator for ever, charged the DNA parliamentarian.

The only way to safeguard democracy is to work hard with the grassroots level in the villages. There are a lot to do to safeguard democracy. Four months have lapsed since this government came into power. It has another 72 months remaining. Though it will enjoy a majority in Parliament with a headcount, the headcount of the masses’ will not remain the same, Anura Kumara warned.

“Some are seeking short cuts to save democracy. Some suggest getting rid of Ranil and bringing in Sajith as leader. This won’t work. It is like changing the driver for the same old bus. Farmers, students, universities and workers are facing problems. Corruption and nepotism is rife. The country is in a debt trap while democracy id being denied,” charged Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

This government is the strongest government since 1977. R. Premadasa, Ranil Wickremesinghe or Chandrika Kumaratunga whom we supported to power did not enjoy such a strong government. But Mahinda Rajapaksa enjoys that privilege now. But with all this power in hand, the present government is crumbling now just after four months in power. The masses are rising against the government, claimed Anura Kumara.

He said that the people have to choose the correct path towards democracy and good governance. The DNA is opening a new path through which this goal could be reached, said DNA parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake while urging the people to flock around the party.