No confidence motion Joint Opposition desperate to return to power

Citing a number of reasons including the alleged involvement in the alleged Central Bank Bond Scam, the Joint Opposition members recently signed a no confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Joint Opposition said that they were optimistic of winning the no confident motion with the intention of neutralising Premier Wickremesinghe’s powers in the Government.

The no confidence motion, whether passed or not, has already dealt a major blow on the Unity Government.   
Aluth Parapura, a movement comprising artistes, is one of the groups that were in the forefront in bringing the present government to power. The Daily Mirror spoke to one of its leading artistes vocalist Lakshman Wijesekara and obtained his opinion on the current political situation in the country.   

Wijesekara, who is critical of the current turn of political scenarios in the country, was of the view that the Yahapalana Government is already in a mess due to the present turn of events that have taken place in the name of politics.   

The main positive change took place in the country after the current Government ensured that there is freedom of expression. Every citizen of the country is enjoying freedom of expression

“The Government failed to perform as expected by the people. They spent more time criticising the previous Government,” he said.   

Due to the no confidence motion against the Prime Minister, the entire Government is shrouded in doubt with regard to stability, Lakshman said.   

He believes that the Government is heading for a political quagmire because the concept of a national Government has proved to be futile due to the disparity in views and opinions expressed by the UNP and SLFP.   

“When the Prime Minister takes a decision, the President decides to abolish it. There has been no consensus even between the Prime Minister and the President. This political dispute messed up all the proceedings of the Government,” he said.   

Lakshman was of the view that those who are eagerly eyeing to grab political power are taking utmost advantage of the prevailing complicated political atmosphere.   

“The no-faith motion is merely a desperate attempt of the Joint Opposition to return to power,” he said.   

Further, he said that the Government should have paid more attention and showed more concern regarding matters pertaining to the day-to-day lives of the general public.   

He noted that the words spoken and promises made to the people by the present Government proved to be nothing, but lies as the Government failed to walk the talk.

“There were many meaningful and also meaningless talk, but no action.” he affirmed.   

Having said that he stressed that the turning point that mattered came when the Government received a black mark due to the Central Bank’s alleged Bond Scam. He stated that the process of taking legal action against those who are responsible was dragging way too far long and disappointed the people.

This also affected the confidence the people had on the National Government.   

“The main positive change took place in the country after the current Government ensured that there is freedom of expression. Every citizen of the country is enjoying freedom of expression. When there is more freedom of expression the more the Government will be criticised” said Lakshman. 
  
Even though the Premier and UNP Leader Wickremesinghe, who is under immense pressure from his party and his Government, is battling to save his status, there is a need for a better leader to lead his party, Lakshman said.   

The Government failed to perform as expected by the people. They spent more time criticising the previous Government

When asked if he could suggest an individual to take up the premiership or UNP, as the leader, Lakshman said that the country unfortunately does not have a suitable politician who can come forward and save the country from the current political crisis and play the role of a  true leader who will honestly work for the welfare of general public.   

“A true leader is someone who works hard alongside others toward the achievement of the common good. Being a leader is much harder than it looks and it’s hard to make true leaders,” he said.