By Saman Indrajith

Former Army Commander and DNA Leader Gen. Sarath Fonseka yesterday called upon the people to rally around him and the Maha Sangha to change the prevailing political culture in the country.

Addressing a public rally, organised by the United Bhikkhu Front at the Hyde Park in Colombo, Gen. Fonseka said that mere changes of governments would not bring about solutions to the problems of the people.

He said: "The people will not  be able breathe freely until the executive presidency was abolished. The incumbent ruler’s motive is self-aggrandisement and he and his cronies are leading the country towards a dictatorship. We should get together and expel them if we are to live in a democratic country."

Gen. Fonseka said that there was no rule of law in the country which was being run by a cabal.

People had to pay the price of the extravagance of those cronies and their leader. "We will expel them all. We will sweep the executive presidency to the political dustbin," he said.

Gen. Fonseka said that the crime and corruption were galore in the country today owing to the executive presidency. "All those who have been accused of child abuse, murders and fraud are henchmen and followers of the incumbent ruler. None of these accused have been punished. They are free to rape girls, kill political opponents and extort money from businessmen. These evils must be rooted out. In the garb of patriots there are fraudsters, gamblers, rapists and killers. We must get rid of them all."

The former Army Commander noted the government had closed down the roads leading to Hyde Park to prevent party supporters from coming there but such action would not deter the people. "Attacks on me, my family, relatives and friends made me stronger to face this all powerful presidency."

UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara, Provincial Councillor Shiral Lakthilaka, Secretary of the United Lawyers’ Association Gunaratne Wanninayake  UBF members Ven Thalpotha Dhammajothi, Girambe Ananda, Bopitiye Dhammissara, Ulapane Sumangala theras, local government member Aruna Deepal addressed the gathering.

Among those present at the head table were former Chief Justice Sarath N Silva, UNP MPs Palitha Thevarapperuma, Ashoka Abeysinghe, former MPs Buddhika Kularatne, V. Dias and Anoma Fonseka, Harendra Dunuwila, Ananda Palitha and a large number of member of the UBF.