Take action: UNP asks Polls Chief

The main opposition UNP today requested the Elections Commissioner to take the strongest possible action against those candidates or parties attempting to thwart the will of the people.

In a statement the party questioned as to where the money for what it called the Rajapaksa regime’s multi-billion dollar election campaign came from and who funded it.

It also questioned as to where the money came from for the recent visit by the President and his entourage to Tirupati.

The statement said that nothing could stop the wave that had started against what they called the inglorious rule of the incumbency, and added that if the Elections Commissioner stood in their way, the people would remember and condemn him for it.

“You can decide to be a lackey of the incumbent, or you can choose to be a model democrat, a servant of the state, whose true masters are Sri Lanka’s people,” the party told the Elections Commissioner.

The statement said;

 “The arrogance and extravagance of the Rajapaksa family regime is all too visible in their latest jaunt to Tirupati in South India. The trip was scheduled in the heat of the election cycle, when the forces opposing his rule were agitating for change and the end to the plunder of this state by a single family.

 “Undoubtedly, President Rajapaksa needs divine intervention at this Presidential election. He will have to look to the heavens to try to win back the favour of the people, who have tired of his nepotism, corruption and self-serving administration. But who is incurring the enormous costs of the president and his entourage of lackeys who travelled to Tirupati on a special aircraft hired from Sri Lankan Airlines?

 “In addition to the enormous costs of chartering a plane, there is a larger loss of revenue from the aircraft being removed from its normal schedule. Paying passengers are left stranded in numerous airports and Sri Lankan Airlines is being forced to incur those costs as well. “

“At a time when the whole election focus is on extravagance, corruption and wastage of the Rajapaksa regime, the disregard of public opinion is emblematic of the power lust and ‘to hell with the public’ attitude that has been the hallmark of this rule.

 
“Our one proud national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines has been a loss making enterprise since 2008, the year President Rajapaksa forced its international partners to withdraw over a personal incident. Since then the airline has incurred losses of over Rs 91 billion up to 2013.

 
“Without a doubt, the Rajapaksa regime has unleashed a multi-billion dollar campaign to ensure it does not lose its grip on power in January. The advertising campaigns and cut-out onslaught provides ample evidence of the spending power the regime commands. Where does this money come from? Who funds this mega-campaign? Does this money come from state coffers? Or is it the Rajapaksa campaign’s personal funds? In which case, how did this president and his family coterie amass this quantity of wealth?  Has President Rajapaksa submitted a declaration of his assets to the Commissioner of Elections?

“Three days after the nominations period ended cut-outs and posters of the candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa still litter the streets across the country. The material is giving rise to anger and contempt among the general public.

 
“Mr. Commissioner, the ball is very much in your court. The decision of the people has already been made. The signs are visible everywhere” the statement added.