In a positive development for Sri Lanka’s main opposition, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and Matara District MP Mangala Samaraweera – the two big guns of the party who were at loggerheads with each other – today held a public meeting in Matara together, as a sign of a reunion.
Although it is still not clear whether the issue has been fully resolved, the Matara public meeting might give a positive indication to the rank and file of the party ahead of the presidential council election.
The controversy involving Tiss Attanayake and Magala Samaraweera took a new turn when the latter lashed out at a statement made by the UNP General Secretary over Ranil Wickremesinghe being the “Executive Prime Minister” of the country.
After media reports, quoting Tissa Attanayake, claimed that Wickremesinghe would be appointed as the ‘Executive Prime Minister’ of the country within 24 hours after Maithripala Sirsisena’s ascension to power, Samaraweera said there was no such post in the world as “Executive Prime Minister”.
“The post ‘Executive Prime Minister’ is non-existent in the world it is completely wrong to say that Ranil Wickremesinghe will be appointed as the Executive Prime Minister. Those who keep saying that are doing a contract on behalf of the government,” the UNP Parliamentarian said addressing a press conference in Colombo. It was clear that Samaraweera’s criticism was directed at Attanayake who is the General Secretary of the party.
However, speaking to Asian Mirror, sources close to Attanayake said at the press conference , Attanayake never referred to a prime ministerial position with Executive powers.
Just a day before this controversial statement, Attanayake said the media reports claiming that he was negotiating with the government for a crossover was a clear indication of a conspiracy against him.
“I cannot be bought for money: my conscience cannot be bought for money,” Attanayake said in an emotional sign.
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