UNP trade union denounces party stand on selling national assets
Extends hand to Wimal, Udaya, Dayasiri to shut down country in protest
By Rathindra Kuruwita (The Island)
Trade unions would shut down the country unless the government heeded their call for stopping the sale of national assets to foreign countries, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) Convenor Ananda Palitha told the media in Colombo.
Palitha said that on 26 October at the JSS headquarters he had asked UNP Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam for the party’s support for the campaign against the sale of oil, ports and electricity assets to foreigners under the present dispensation.
“I made that request because the party wasn’t offering any support. Kariyawasam told me ‘Ananda, you know our opinion. We have sold some assets in our time. The government must solve these matters.”
Palitha said that as the Assistant Leader himself had said so, there was no point in fighting for a party that was for the sale of national assets.
“We left. Just like that I am asking Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila and State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera to leave the government and support the people’s struggle. Don’t wait until the people chase away the government or till the government gets rid of you. Come join us before 03 November. Join us opposite the CEB HQ. Show that you mean what you say,” Palitha said.
