Moulana’s WPC policy statement turns sour
30 April 2014 10:44 am
Western Province Governor Alavi Moulana’s Policy Statement presentation ceremony turned chaotic after the Governor’s speech today, as UNP members of the Western Provincial Council and members of the ruling UPFA clashed over several issues.
UNP Council Member Kithsiri Kahatapitiya who got up just after Governor Moulana left Committee Room A at the BMICH after presenting the Policy Statement protested, stating that there was no Tamil copy of the Statement.
Council Chairman Sunil Wijeratne who was at the Chair, responded that Tamil copies had been distributed to those who had asked for it.
However, Mr. Kahatapitiaya then said there were a large number of Muslim and Tamil Members of the Council who had not received the Tamil copy.
Arrangements were said to have been made to distribute Tamil copies of the Policy Statement immediately
.
Opposition Leader Manjusri Arangala who pitched in said Mr. Fernando was not allowed to participate in the first sessions of the Provincial Council last week. “We asked the police officers who brought Mr. Fernando to allow him to participate in the inaugural session but he was only allowed to take oaths,” Mr. Arangala said.
UPFA Member Athula Devapriya who responded at that time questioned as to why the UNP Members were intervening on behalf of a person charged with robbery. This led to a verbal battle between Mr. Perera and Mr. Devapriya. (Yohan Perera)