SWRD statue relocation plan denied

By Kelum Bandara

The President’s office yesterday denied any plans to relocate the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike statue that stands opposite the Galle Face Green, despite speculation this was being done following the leasing of the Galle Face Green to two multinational companies to build a hotel and shopping mall.

The response comes in the wake of a news item that appeared in Tuesday’s Daily Mirror quoting former President Chandrika Bandaranike Kumaratunga as saying she was against any such relocation.

Presidential Media Division Director General Bandula Jayasekara said in a statement that Ms. Kumaratunga need not make hasty comments based on speculation that the statue of the former prime minister was being relocated.

“There is no truth in such reports. It is regrettable for Ms. Kumaratunga to hurl abuse at President Mahinda Rajapaksa saying it is a conspiracy. She knows very well who the real conspirators are and who are trying to create unwarranted rifts with hatred, anger and even jealousy,” he said. 

Mr. Jayasekera said it was laughable to hear that people had telephoned her to ask why she was not organizing mass demonstrations, similar to those in Egypt and some other Islamic countries, against plans to relocate the statue.

“It also shows she is not in touch with reality. President Rajapaksa or his government has no intention whatsoever to remove the statue of the late leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) from its original site.  Not only the statue of the late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike but, the statues of late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake and late President R. Premadasa too will be given even more respect,” he said.