I have been consistent in my policies: Rajitha

21 October 2011 02:56 pm

Fisheries Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne told Parliament today that he respects former President Chandrika Kumaratunga for transforming the SLFP from its communal mindset to a more liberal position.

Speaking during the debate on the issues in the north and the east, he said that Mrs. Kumaratunga’s late husband Wijeya Kumaratunga was influential in instilling more liberal policies in her to be introduced to the SLFP.

Dr. Senaratne said that the divisive language policy introduced by her father late S.W.R. D. Bandaranaike was corrected by her later.

“I dislike Chandrika. Yet, I respect her for the reason that she transformed the SLFP’s mindset from a communal setup,” he said.

He said, “I have been consistent in my policies to appear for the rights of minorities. Unless the dignity of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people are upheld, the dignity of Sri Lanka cannot be upheld.” (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)