UNP wants alliance with JVP, TNA to topple UPFA

by Zacki Jabbar

In a new turn of events, the UNP yesterday invited the JVP, with whom it had parted ways after the last Presidential Election and the Tamil National Alliance, to join it in toppling the Mahinda Rajapasksa regime, for burdening the people with unbearable increases in the price of essential goods and service.

Matara District UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera, addressing a news conference in Colombo, urged all political parties, including the JVP and TNA, to participate in the demonstration against the skyrocketing cost of living, planned for tomorrow at the Fort Railway station.

The Nawa Samasamaja Party, United Socialist Front, Democratic People’s Front and a number of trade unions have already pledged their support for tomorrow’s protest, he said adding that the JVP and TNA cannot shirk their duty by the masses.

Samaraweera said that the UNP would continue with its countrywide agitation until the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime reduced the price of fuel and other essential goods and services.

Millions of rupees were being wasted on image boosting exercises such as the ‘Deyata Kirula’ exhibition, while the people were being taxed excessively, to cover up for the Rajapaksa regime’s economic bungling, he observed.

Samaraweera said that the poor man’s kerosense had been increased by a massive Rs.35 per litre, but the government was prepared to waste over Rs.70 million constructing toilets at the ‘Deyata Kirula’ exhibition, instead of using it to provide the poor villagers with much needed relief.

Corruption at the highest levels, had resulted in State ventures suffering huge losses. Sri Lankan Airlines was in debt to the tune of Rs.3,000 million, while Mihin Air had lost Rs.1,500 million over the last year, he said.