Chandrika slams UNF government 'without vision'

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 September 2002, 18:32 GMT]
"The United National Front government has no vision nor ability to rule the country," said President Chandrika Kumaratunge Sunday evening at Bogambara grounds, Kandy in the Central province. The President was addressing a large gathering at the fifty first convention of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which was founded by her father, late Premier S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike in 1951.

Late Mr.Bandaranaike broke away from the then ruling United National party following difference of opinion with the first Prime Minister of the country, and formed the SLFP which is the main constitutent of the present main opposition People’s Alliance.

"I have handed over all my executive powers to the UNF government to ensure smooth running of the administration in the true spirit of co-habitation. But the UNF leaders have failed to administer the country with the same spirit," said Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge who faces a constitutional amendment to strip her powers related to the dissolution of parliament.

However the UNF government has entered into a ceasefire agreement with the LTTE "I am still in the dark regarding the contents of the agreement which is being now used by the LTTE to consolidate its position in the northeast province," Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge charged.

The LTTE is now engaged in established its own courts, banks and training judges. The LTTE has prepared a map demarcating their area to Hambantota in the down south of the country, she alleged.

The Leader of the Opposition and the senior vice president of the SLFP Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse said there was no division in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. However, some elements are trying to split the party to meet their own ends, he said.

There were no groups in the party such as Mangala, Mahinda and Anura. The SLFP is united ever than before in defeating the present government, which came to power by giving false promises, Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse added.

"The people have now realised their folly in voting the UNF to power at the last December general election. The people are now waiting for another election to throw this government out of power, "Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse predicted.

"I would like to ask the Prime Minister what he has done to uplift the masses who voted him to power expecting reduction of cost of living, salary increases and other benefits. The Prime Minister has done only one thing and that was removing all security points and barriers in the Colombo city," said Mr.Anura Bandaranaike, the President’s brother, addressing the convention.

Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge was the chief guest at the occasion.