Minister Lal Kantha’s latest social media post creates curiosity Opposition presses for Harini’s resignation

• ITAK divided over no faith motion against PM?

By Yohan Perera and Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   

Despite the government postponing the education reforms until next year in the face of mounting public pressure, the Opposition has vowed to press ahead with its campaign, including the collection of public signatures for a petition demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya as well as Minister K. D. Lal Kantha for his latest Facebook post arousing the curiosity of many .   

Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunatilaka told Daily Mirror that the Opposition has delayed the handing over of the no faith motion against the Prime Minister to the Speaker until the collection of signatures for a public petition against the Prime Minister is completed.   

“The public petition was launched in Mathugama in front of C. W W. Kananagara’s statue over the weekend. We have decided to hold the no faith motion until the collection of signatures for the public petition is completed,” he said.   

Minister Lal Kantha who has referred to the Chief incumbent Mihintale as a ‘ Vanachariya (vulgar) person was seemed to be in the centre of controversy again with his latest Facebook post which said “I have met more vulgar persons (Thawa Vanachariyo hamu una).   

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa accused the minister of spreading religious hatred. He said hate speech is against the law.   

Meanwhile, the no faith motion against the Premier has seemed to have created a division within ITAK. ITAK MP revealed to the media that his party has decided not to support the no‑confidence motion to be brought against the Prime Minister and Education Minister. Announcing this at a media briefing, ITAK Member of Parliament Sivagnanam Sridharan said his party had reached this decision.   

However, Opposition MP Kavinda Jayawardene claimed that only MP Sridharan is of the opinion that the motion should be opposed. “Others in ITAK will support our endeavour,” he told Daily Mirror.