Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Video: UNP govt. failed to take adequate action in ’83: Ranil

26 June 2014 04:14 pm - 30     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Admitting that the United National Party (UNP) government did not take adequate action to prevent racial riots in July 1983, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that the present regime should not make the same mistake.

 “There were shortcomings on the part of our United National Party (UNP) government of 1983 as we did not take adequate action prevent Black July 1983 and the same mistake should not be repeated,” he said addressing a meeting of religious leaders and heads of civil society at the parliamentary complex this afternoon.

Mr. Wickremsinghe said the issues between the Sinhalese and the Muslims had not ended though the riots in Aluthgama and Beruwala had ended and that the government should see to it that matters are resolved before they get out of hand.

The Most Venerable Girambe Ananda Anunayaka Thera, who also addressed the meeting, stressed the need for the preservation of peace and goodwill between the Muslims and the Sinhalese.

The Venrable Thinyawala Palitha Thera also highlighted the fact that both the Sinhalese and the Muslims suffered as a result of the clashes created by some interested groups. (Yohan Perera and Darshana Sanjeewa)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 30

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Izmy Friday, 27 June 2014 05:06 AM

    Nawab we should also not call Pakistan, Afganistan,Iraq muslim countries,where they are massacaring their own brothers.

    Sabe Saturday, 28 June 2014 08:10 AM

    Mr Ranil, Can we have any comments from you on Batalandha?

    M.O.A.Careem Friday, 27 June 2014 01:28 PM

    good remains.....

    Raj Abel Friday, 27 June 2014 09:26 AM

    Yes true. The Govt of UNP did not take any action to control the riots. But I am always grateful to Mr Ranil Wickremasinghe who visited the Refugee camps even three times a day and ensured that not only all are fed, but also provided with basic facilities.

    Thank you Mr Wickremasinghe

    Rukmani Friday, 27 June 2014 08:16 AM

    JRJ, in his final days realized and went after Sai Baba to get rid of his sins.

    Devaka Friday, 27 June 2014 08:14 AM

    WILL YOU ALSO MAKE A PUBLIC APOLOGY FOR RIDICULING THE ARMED FORCES IN THE WAR AGAINST THE LTTE?

    RAHMAN Friday, 27 June 2014 08:12 AM

    But the enlightenment which he shared with some are backfiring.

    sach Friday, 27 June 2014 08:01 AM

    [quote name="Muhunthan"]Whats great about this post is the fact the party is able to accept the faults of their previous leader J.R........... .[/quote]

    SPOT ON

    Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 27 June 2014 05:47 AM

    It's a great quality to admit one's past mistakes and that's a surefire way to move forward. And that can only be done by a great leader and not a cheap politician.

    Lanke Banda Friday, 27 June 2014 05:42 AM

    Buddha was not a God was a common man who attained self enlightenment which he shared with humanity for the good of humanity.

    Chathu Friday, 27 June 2014 05:35 AM

    Common Ranil. You, at least, he had the courage to admit that. The so called UNP iron man, JRJ, did nothing for few days when riots erupted.

    Terminator Friday, 27 June 2014 05:25 AM

    83 rioters and their followers are now with the king and they are unstoppable.

    Grace Friday, 27 June 2014 05:23 AM

    Mr.Ranil should realize that the UNP has played a great role to polarize people on communal ground.

    TJ Friday, 27 June 2014 05:09 AM

    it is illogical to expect the instigators & the facilitators to a riot. take actions to curb it.

    DHA Thursday, 26 June 2014 04:35 PM

    Excuse me.....UNP didn't take any action at all......

    Truth thinker Friday, 27 June 2014 05:04 AM

    But we should keep in mind one thing that JVP did their best than any other parties. than even SLMC

    Muhunthan Friday, 27 June 2014 04:57 AM

    Whats great about this post is the fact the party is able to accept the faults of their previous leader J.R. Jayawardena and learn from such grave mistake. The courage to do it at a point of political vote bagging which is the concern of many politicians for their personnel agenda like the Rajapakse is not shown by this man Ranil Wickremasinghe. He in-fact shows a greater skill of leadership in its true sense as he puts country first over political vote bagging.
    Some people may disagree on this view of mine by claiming MR is a a greater cunning leader. However the Sin caused by MR will have to be paid by the people of this country and the generations to come.
    If Sri Lankan's want to move to be in the driving seat of the 21st century and move to the 22nd century as great country and representatives of the world, people must see above racial and religious lines and vote for a party on its principles and not by sheer personal agenda.

    Waco Friday, 27 June 2014 04:36 AM

    High time for you to retire.
    Don't talk about the past.
    Move forward.

    ANTON Friday, 27 June 2014 03:07 AM

    OKATA THAMAY KIYANNE, EKATA KAAWATH BOKKA WENAS KIYALA.

    xpert Friday, 27 June 2014 01:06 AM

    guy`s like you talking ,if people did some wrong ,mistake...its forever?
    they cant back to real life?
    forever must be in there guility life?
    this is the srilankan people main mentality.
    good or bad things..,serama `vivechanaya`
    dont only complain to political parties
    what did you guy`s do for your mother land??
    ask your self first!

    chandra Friday, 27 June 2014 01:02 AM

    Not only take adequate action they are the people who organise and initiated riots

    Phantom Friday, 27 June 2014 12:46 AM

    Was '83 really a lapse on the part of the then govt or was it deliberate? And is it really a lapse of the present govt. to look the other way when Aluthgama was on fire or was it deliberate?

    truth Thursday, 26 June 2014 11:04 PM

    all most 30 years after he opened his mouth ,

    Sampath Thursday, 26 June 2014 05:48 PM

    By saying so, UNP can not free itself from the blame of encouraging the violence.

    HellWelcomes Thursday, 26 June 2014 05:43 PM

    it seems UNP has started its election campaign.

    MANITHAN Thursday, 26 June 2014 05:39 PM

    RUBBISH!!!! YOU ALL ON THE SAME BOAT.DON'T TRY TO CHEAT THE PEOPLE,BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL CLEVER THAN YOU ALL.

    Andrew Pitugala Thursday, 26 June 2014 05:29 PM

    commendable revelation and serious caution to rein in the extremists.

    Nawab Thursday, 26 June 2014 04:54 PM

    Too little too late. It has nothing to do with UNP. Whether it is UNP or SLFP all Sinhalse leadership has no regret in killing minority civilians in Sri Lanka. *3 Black july in one climax and same staged during final days with LTTE. Civilians were buchered like animals. We should stop calling SL as a Buddhist country to save the name of God Buddha

    Yakada Yaka Thursday, 26 June 2014 04:49 PM

    God save Sri Lanka if there is one.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H