The UNP said today that the country needs a united opposition to take on “this corrupt and dictatorial regime”. Speaking at the Opposition leaders’ office UNP General Secretary Tissa Aththanayake urged former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka to join the UNP in its fight against the government. “We invite Sarath Fonseka to join us to take on this corrupt and dictatorial regime” he said.

The Kandy District Parliamentarian said that a divided opposition would not help the common cause of the opposition and that common ground should be derived from the need to bring down the government and not a shift in policy by any party.

“ We want all opposition parties to join us because taking on this government separately is not feasible, we urge all those opposing this corrupt and dictatorial regime to join hands with the UNP in the common bid of toppling this government” he said.

Atthanayake said that there is evidence that those responsible for the shooting in Katuwana Hambanthota have state protection. “We have received information to say that those accused of this heinous crime have clear state protection, if not how else have they been operating for this long in the open at the city of Hambanthota ?” he asked.

He stated that incidents of this nature have been continuously taking place in the past and that there is a dire need of a united opposition to form against this dictatorial and anti democratic behavior of the government. “ This isn’t the first time this has happened, the example of the abducted provincial councilor claiming that he was released because of the intervention of the highest levels in the defense establishment is clear indication of this state protection for the underworld. It is against this that we have to rise” he said.

By Hafeel Farisz
Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)