Colombo (News 1st) UNP Leader and Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the TNA parliamentarians today (September 17). All 14 TNA MPs including its leader R.Sampanthan were present during this meeting at the Parliamentary Complex. Reports claim that Ranil Wickremesinghe was accompanied by Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

Leader of the TNA, R.Sampanthan stated that the UNP must decide on the presidential candidate and inform them. “We need to know the decision taken on the issues. A committee was appointed to draft a new constitution and it must take place”, he continued.

Journalists raised a question about their preference on having Sajith Premadasa contest to which he replied that they would take a decision. He added that after they are made aware of the decision taken on the issue in the country, the drafted constitution and other decisions, they would decide on what measures needed to be taken.

The political parties which hope to form a coalition with the United National Party seek a candidate who can win. In such a backdrop, what are these discussions taking place between the TNA and Ranil Wickremesinghe?

Even though the TNA holds such discussions, over the years they have unconditionally appeared to protect the positions and leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe.

When the report of the Bond Commission, which posed a serious disadvantage to Ranil Wickremesinghe, was presented to Parliament along with reports, the debate was postponed because MP M A Sumanthiran raised an issue over the translations. Last year when Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Jaffna with Minister Sagala Ratnayake, the PM did not forget to pay a visit to M A Sumanthiran at his residence. When a political crisis took place in the country, this is how M A Sumanthiran made attempts to protect the position of Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament.

The TNA MPs boast that they represent the Tamil Community but what service did they do for the people who elected them? Whenever Ranil Wickremesinghe’s position was challenged, it was the TNA that came to his rescue. When the budget was challenged in Parliament, R Sampanthan ordered his MPs to vote in favour of the budget, despite being in the opposition.

Nuwara Eliya District Organiser of SLFP, Periyasami Pradeepan highlighted that the Leader of the Tamil National Alliance R.Sampanthan is the person who deceived the Tamil People. “When he was serving as Opposition Leader, what did he do against the Government? He protected Ranil Wickremesinghe when there were moves against the Government. However, I must ask him, what did he do for the Tamil people ?”, he continued. He emphasized that the TNA is supporting all corrupt acts committed by Ranil Wickremesinghe noting that the Sampanthan-led group is engaging in such conducts for their personal objectives. He added that a Colombo 07 mansion and a luxury vehicle which was worth millions was given to Sampanthan. ” Your time is up. Therefore do not engage in politics for your personal benefit by deceiving the Tamil Community. Think about the country and think about the future of the Tamil community. You’ve reached your age. Handover your leadership to the youth”, he continued.

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