Cader predicts 175 votes for amendments
August 29, 2010 06:33 pm
One hundred and seventy five members will vote for the proposed constitutional amendments when they are presented to Parliament soon, says Kandy District United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian A.C.M. Abdul Cader.
It is better if the UNP, at least now, cooperates with the government in its march towards development. Or else more members will leave the party and only a few will remain, said Mr. Abdul Cader while addressing the media in Gampola today (August 29).
When the media questioned his as to how sure he was of the headcount, Mr. Cader said he was sure of the fact and that he need not mention each member by name. “You mark my words. That number will be there. You just wait and see,” he reiterated.
Even if the UNP refuses to vote for the amendments, it will not stop Mahinda rajapaksa. The government is strong. The Cabinet is very strong. All Ministers are doing their jobs properly. “The Cabinet is like a bullet (‘vedi wage’). So we too should be like bullets. If we work together with the government at this crucial juncture, the masses will accept us. The world will accept us for doing at least something,” stressed Mr. Cader.
Replying to another question by the media, Mr Cader said he has not spoken to UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. All the UNP Working Committee members were his friends, he said. The party has not been fair by him. It suspended him for voting with the government for the extension of the emergency and for the budget, Mr. Cader said.
The war is over. But there are still minor incidents occurring. Those responsible have to be weeded out. The emergency is still necessary, he added.
He voted for the budget as it would help the members get the necessary funds for various development work. “If there is no budget, how can we get the funds? The members and the Local Government members will eat our head off asking for funds,” claimed the Kandy District Parliamentarian.
“I have been in the UNP for 50 years. For 20 years I have been in Parliament. How many others have joined the government? Am I the only one? And I have not even left the party. I supported the government only on some good measures. It is wrong of the UNP to suspend me for that without even bothering to ask for an explanation from me,” Mr. Cader said.
The war would not have come to a conclusion if not for President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He need not go to the battlefront and shoot at people. His responsibility is to make decisions and order them to be carried out. If some innocent lives are lost in the process it is unfortunate. It cannot be helped in a war, he added.
During the terror period, even in Gampola there were instances where 10 to 12 bodies were dumped on the roadsides. Nobody talks of those now, Abdul Cader lamented.
“It is time now for everyone to cooperate with the government to move forwards. The President has a good vision for the future of the country. “So, while fasting during this holy month, I call upon my friends and the UNP to cooperate and take this country forward,” urged A.R.M. Abdul Cader.