In an article in your issue of 6th August, it was reported that the UPFA General Secretary, Minister Susil Premajayantha had said that the ruling coalition wouldn’t field anyone found guilty of criminal offences or facing strictures due to criminal offences committed by them. He had emphatically said that the decision was final. You have called this the latest fairy tale talk of the government in your editorial titled Sanctimonious Humbug of 7th Aug. You have asked about the anti-social elements already in government, citing Kelaniya as a safe haven for contract killers. You have also mentioned the case of Kudu Lal being assisted to flee the country with security provided by a powerful Minister.

It was also reported that Lalith Weeratunga, the Secretary to the President had said that the number of Ministers had to be increased to accommodate those joining the government from time to time.

He had said the number of ministers would be reduced in future. Could not those who cross over be accommodated without offering them Ministerial posts with all perks?

These two statements from a responsible Minister, Susil Premajayantha and from the Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga would have surely had the approval of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Is this another gimmick before the most talked of General Elections or the Presidential elections?