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Challenge fulfilled successfully: MR

1 May 2017 09:46 pm - 33     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The challenge of filling up the Galle Face Green with Joint Opposition (JO) supporters was fulfilled successfully and now the government should hold the elections for the local government (LG) bodies without a delay to test people’s franchise, former president and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa challenged today.

Addressing the large crowd that thronged the Galle Face green for the May Day Rally organised by the JO, the former President said the government was trembling and shaking after witnessing the crowd gathered at JO rallies.

“We accepted the challenge and fulfilled it. Now, it’s only fair that we challenge the government. We challenge them to hold the elections for LG bodies immediately. However, after seeing this crowd, it will never go for any election,” he said.

If the government still continues to postpone the elections, the JO would have to show the power of the people by even taking to the streets, he said.

While claiming that they have accepted challenges of more magnitude, Mr. Rajapaksa said their My Day rally was historic and it would decide the end of the government.

He said the JO would do what’s necessary in the event the government introduces a Constitution which divides the country. “We shouldn’t wait till it does this. As Wimal Weerawansa and Vasudeva Nanayakkara said, people will take it to the streets. That’s when we will teach a lesson to this separatist government,” he said.

He criticized the government of dragging the construction of the Colombo Port City now known as Colombo International Financial City (CIFC), handing over operations of the Trincomalee Harbour to India and alienation.

He went on to note that the people are suffering from the loans obtained by the government and the Central Bank Bond sale issue and not because of the loans obtained during the previous regime.

Meanwhile, he said though Sri Lanka hadn’t become a signatory of the Rome Statute, members of the tri-forces and hierarchy of the commanders could be tried at an international war crime tribunal because of a recent Bill approved by the Government.

He said President Maithripala Sirisena had crippled the country and had removed functional electoral organizers of the Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP) on the whims of ‘Sirikotha.’

“This May Day rally is not only about trade union action. This should be used as a platform to send this government home,” he said.

Addressing the event, MP Wimal Weerawansa said the people gathered at the rally would surround Temple Trees and the President’s House if the government brought in a separatist constitution.

He said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka during the Vesak festival would not be in favour of the country and therefore, requested people to hoist black flags in protest over his visit and handing over of Trincomalee port to India.

He also said the people cannot wait till 2020 general election and said people’s force is the one and only option to go for in order to request for an early election.

MPs Dinesh Gunawardane, Dullas Alahapperuma, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Sarath Weerasekara, Gamini Lokuge, Dilum Amunugama, Udaya Gammanpila, former Ministers G.L. Peiris, Tissa Vitharana and many others spoke at the May Day rally. Except for one MP, who is abroad, all MPs of the Joint Opposition were attended the rally. (Lahiru Pothmulla)


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  Comments - 33

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  • Kale Tuesday, 02 May 2017 03:57 PM

    How many at the rally were paid to be there?What also was the payment, Arrack and Rice?

    Gamini Tuesday, 02 May 2017 09:44 AM

    The large gathering must have sent shivers down the spines of the patrons of yahapalana and their external backers.

    Sharon Tuesday, 02 May 2017 10:51 AM

    Duka thamai Lal

    May Tuesday, 02 May 2017 11:08 AM

    They had a nice 'fully paid' picnic in Colombo.

    Marikkar Tuesday, 02 May 2017 01:08 PM

    කොහොම ගණන් හැදුවත් ලක්ෂය පනින්නේ නැහැ..මිලියන් එකට අදාළ ඉලක්කම් කීයද කියලත් දන්නේ නැහැ වගේ..

    Jema Tuesday, 02 May 2017 02:45 PM

    If this crowd peed on Gatabe, people would drown

    roshan Tuesday, 02 May 2017 03:21 PM

    Even on a normal hoilday more than 5000 people are there.. not all of them come to support ... to see gallke face at hora salli

    Piranha Tuesday, 02 May 2017 03:55 PM

    Yup. I was wondering what drugs/alcohol they had taken

    Piranha Tuesday, 02 May 2017 03:57 PM

    Yeah all of us are shivering.

    kukula Tuesday, 02 May 2017 09:23 AM

    good luck MR, you can day dream as long as you want. Before that you are and your family and others are answerable to the crimes committed during you time in power.

    NAF Tuesday, 02 May 2017 05:18 PM

    I never seen large crowd like this i was at Hotel Taj its amazing wow

    Booruwa Wednesday, 03 May 2017 12:02 AM

    Yes and the people flowed into Galle Face like a human waves far eclipsing the tidal waves during the Tsunami to show their "LUNACY"! MR is definitely a hero to them!

    don appuhami Wednesday, 03 May 2017 01:08 AM

    I was wondering what had these people taken cause they were behaving like apes hanging from buses and screaming their lungs out and insulting drivers on the road

    ranmala Wednesday, 03 May 2017 01:42 AM

    This shows the enormity of poverty in this country. All those who attended earn less than two dollars per day. Any educated attend these rallies--sadly no.

    Boonda Wednesday, 03 May 2017 04:39 AM

    Now he wants local election. To become PS leader, next ?

    thusitha Wednesday, 03 May 2017 03:28 PM

    is May Day for head counting for politicians ?

    Saraa Goyya Thursday, 04 May 2017 08:40 AM

    You dumped more PLASTICS on the Gall Face green than humans. Show your responsibility by cleaning it yourself, not employing laborers. You and your puppets don't have the vein to to that.

    Aku Tuesday, 02 May 2017 12:12 AM

    Amazing... They get kicked out TWICE already by the People...

    don anton Tuesday, 02 May 2017 09:19 AM

    this showcases unpopularity of the govt not popularity of MR

    Lal Tuesday, 02 May 2017 09:17 AM

    And still the crowd at the UNP rally was larger. MR used a confined space while UNP used a more open space

    Andrew Tuesday, 02 May 2017 09:08 AM

    Hitha Niwana Katha! Hitha Niwana Katha!

    TONY Tuesday, 02 May 2017 08:47 AM

    ALL THOSE WHO WERE PAID AND BROUGHT FOR THE RALLY ARE NOT SUPPORTERS OF JO AS CLAIMED BY MR

    TONY Tuesday, 02 May 2017 08:40 AM

    WHAT WAS YOUR BILL TO BILL TO BRING PEOPLE FOR THE RALLY. THEY ARE NOT YOUR SUPPORTERS BUT PAID TO ATTEND THE RALLY

    srilankan Tuesday, 02 May 2017 08:34 AM

    rupiyal satte my friend .... rupiyal satte...

    mal Tuesday, 02 May 2017 08:19 AM

    There was a gigantic crowd at his presidential election campaign, all the CTB buses were used, media was a monopoly, dont judge from the crowd.

    Andrew Tuesday, 02 May 2017 08:06 AM

    this shows popularity of current government! this is why they don not hold the election.

    MSR Tuesday, 02 May 2017 08:04 AM

    MR, The President!

    Kadiya Tuesday, 02 May 2017 06:40 AM

    Crowd? All paid for by money stolen from the country. The way the crowd behaved on the way to Galle Face was proof enough that 'Gal' flowed like the Don!!!

    Sugathapala Tuesday, 02 May 2017 06:03 AM

    This is only a Youtube post made by Namal. Is there anything filmed by DM crew ??This is edited and made for the JO advantage.

    Leo Tuesday, 02 May 2017 05:58 AM

    People from villages brought by bus loads to fill Galle Face Green. MR back to his gimmicks. PRECIFAC please follow up on payments to the SLTB. via DM Android App

    Wijebahu Tuesday, 02 May 2017 05:31 AM

    no policies.

    saman Tuesday, 02 May 2017 05:05 AM

    Go to a school and learn!

    pras Tuesday, 02 May 2017 01:06 AM

    what ever opponents say MR is a lion & proved tdy. what a record crowd the MAN is back via DM Android App


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