Disbanding DNA essential for SF to join UNP-Tissa

UPFA Embilipitiya PS Chairman defects to UNP

July 17, 2012, 10:15 pm

by Zacki Jabbar

The former army commander Gen. Sarath Fonseka should make a direct request to the UNP, if he wished to join the party without making indirect statements, General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake said yesterday.

Speaking after the UPFA Chairman of the Embilipitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, Vijaya Withanage had obtained UNP membership from party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya headquarters in Pitakotte, Attanayake said that anyone who wished to join the UNP would have to follow accepted procedures.

Vithanage has been given nomination to contest the forthcoming election to Sabragamuwa Provincial Council Election from the Ratnapura District.

Attanayake said that soon after the former army chief’s release from prison, he had been invited to join the UNP but there had been no straight response.

If Gen. Fonseka wanted to join the UNP, he had to first dissolve the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Attanayake stressed.

Commenting on the Eastern, North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Polls campaigns which had already begun, Attanayake said that prospective UPFA candidates were abusing state property.

"If the disturbing trend continues, we would be forced to go to courts", he said, adding that the UNPhad already informed the Elections Commissioner and hoped that he would ensure the conduct of free and fair polls.