Audio: Dont compel us to leave the UNP: Range

UNP Parliamentarian Palitha Range Bandara speaking to the Daily Mirror said that if the UNP is going to take action against him for supporting Fomer Army Commander Sarath Fonseka he would be compelled to embark on a political journey with Sarath Fonseka.

“ I am a thoroughbred UNPer and have no intention of leaving this party, my vision and mission is focused around the UNP. But if certain shortsighted individuals are going to take silly decisions I have no option but to embark on a journey with General Fonseka” he said.

Responding to the statement made by UNP National Organiser Daya Gamage who said that he had instructed Range Bandara not to organize meetings on behalf of Sarath Fonseka, Range Bandara said that no such discussion had occurred.

 “ There was no such instruction or discussion, Daya Gamage told me to remove the photograph of General Fonseka and I told him that as patriotic and grateful people we would all have to keep a photograph of him in our houses. But no such instructions were given to me as claimed by Daya Gamage” he said.

Range Bandara went on to state that if he had committed any wrong there must be a proper procedure that is followed instead of issuing statements. “ If I have done anything wrong im ready to face an inquiry, but that should be done rightly instead of unwanted childish and untruthful statements by those who claim to be running the party” he said.

UNP MP Palitha Thewarapperuma said that prior to holding inquiries against the members who are supportive of the former Army Commander there should be a disciplinary inquiry against the party leadership"

 “Thepeople who brought the General into politics to save their positions were the party leadership so they should be the first people to be brought before a disciplinary committee. When the UNP was in tatters it was the General who helped save it” he said.

The warapperuma  further said that they are yet to receive official notice from the party regarding the participation in the Political work of Fonseka “ They cant sack us from the UNP and we have not been informed about any inquiry as yet, everything we hear is from the media. If they decide to sack us then we will take decisions accordingly” he said. ( By Hafeel Farisz and ISA)