Diligent focus on geopolitics essential to save Colombo Dockyard and nation alike : Wajira

By Yohan Perera 

A diligent focus on geopolitical developments is essential to safeguard Colombo Dockyard and the nation as a whole, United National Party (UNP) Chairman and Former Minister Wajira Abeywardana said. 

“All parties should get together and focus on geopolitical developments with utmost diligence. If not, Sri Lanka will lose the Colombo Dockyard and will end up being a colony again if all parties fail in their national duty. All parties have been hostile towards each other in the past. Many have lost their lives as a result. I have a list of 120 leaders who have been killed and those who were subjected to untimely deaths,” Mr. Abeywardana said speaking during a ceremony held in Colombo to mark the 33rd death anniversary of late Minister Lalith Athulathmudali. 

“Late Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake met with an untimely death by falling off his horse at Galle Face. Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake met with an untimely death. A group tried to abduct late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike and kill her, but the plot failed. The same group tried to kill President J. R. Jayewardene but failed again. However, those who were living in jungles have managed to put up luxury houses today. This is a positive development. Therefore, don’t criticise them for wealth gains by them,” he said. 

“Late President R. Premadasa was killed on the road. So were Gamini Dissanayake and even Athulathmudali. All these happened because all the political leaders were divided. Mr Athulathmudali also left the UNP and formed DUNF. He invited me to join DUNF, but I refused,” he added. 

“Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was the minister in charge of education during the time of Mr Athulathmudali, who wanted to launch the Mahapola scholarship scheme. The late President Jayewardene summoned Mr Wickremesinghe and inquired about it. Mr Wickremesinghe readily agreed to back Mr Athulathmudali. This is the kind of spirit today’s politicians should develop and maintain,” he said.