No point in associating MR with underworld figures now: MP

Colombo, July 9 (Daily Mirror) - In what seemed humorous but a fact at the same time, Opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake yesterday highlighted that there is no point in associating former President Mahinda Rajapaksa with underworld figures and criticising him as he is no longer engaged in active politics.

“Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala on Tuesday came out associating Mr. Rajapaksa with underworld figures such as Julampitiye Amare. However there is no point in criticising him now as he is not engaged in active politics. The Deputy Minister should take on MP Namal Rajapaksa face to face in Parliament instead,” MP Dassanayake said.

“We saw how severely Deputy Minister Watagala criticised the former President. However he was seen bent in two in the presence of Mr. Rajapaksa at a recent funeral. One wonders why ruling party MPs such as Watagala are unable to criticise the former President to his face,” he added.

The MP then went on to reveal some shortcomings in the health sector. Accordingly he said the hospital in Negampaha in Galnewa which is the home town of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is to be closed down soon. “ It is a shame that a hospital situated in the hometown of the President has to be closed down. He said there is no medicine for patients receiving treatment at the paying ward of the cancer hospital while there is no Director at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital