NPP, SJB clash over disaster relief in Uva Paranagama

By Yohan Perera   

Ruling National Peoples Power (NPP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are engaged in a clash over providing disaster relief in Uva Paranagama, it was revealed yesterday.   

SJB yesterday released a letter written by DIG Badulla G. A. S. Laksiri Wijesena asking the SSP of the area to take action against one of its organizers Indika Dassanayake who is alleged to have prevented the disaster response relief distribution in the area.   

“We have received complaints that the said SJB organizer has been disturbing and preventing officers from cleaning roads in the area while he has planned to sabotage disaster relief distribution to those who are residing at temporary camps. The distribution was planned by some ministers and ruling party local politicians in the area. Therefore, I request you to take action against him,” DIG Wijesena said in his letter.   

However, Dassanayake said he was only engaged in cleaning up a blocked road in Uva Paranagama on his own using some equipment. “The ruling NPP wants my relief work stopped and they are making false allegations against me,” he said.   

Also he alleged that the letter written by the DIG had appeared in the Facebook account belonging to an associate of Minister Samantha Vidyaratne even before the SSP received it.   

SJB sources revealed that similar incidents have occurred elsewhere as well.