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Ravi K slams Maithri for bringing down the Yahapalanaya

11 Jan 2022

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and United National Party (UNP) member Ravi Karunanayake spoke to the media after a long silent period, in which he slammed former President Maithripala Sirisena for bringing the Yahapalanaya coalition down. During a media brief held today (11), Karunanayake said that Sirisena spoke confidently now at party meetings and rallies, whereas he has forgotten that it was the UNP that brought him to the position he is in now.  "People might be wondering why I am speaking to the media after a prolonged silent period. We have all seen how Maithripala Sirisena speaks with so much confidence at party rallies and meetings, but he has clearly forgotten how he came to power. Sirisena is talking about continuing his political journey, but he should do so without condemning the UNP. It is the UNP that brought Sirisena to power, and Sirisena should not forget that and he must also be reminded about it. Sirisena is trying to gain popularity by damaging the reputation of the UNP," said Karunanayake.  Further, Karunanayake said that Sirisena must not forget the promises he had failed to fulfil when he was President.  "When Sirisena came to power, Sirisena proposed a 100 day plan to bring Sri Lanka to success, whereas he served a whole term and had not kept his promises. Sirisena said that during his Presidency, he would ensure that the Executive Presidency law would be revoked, but that was not done. It was not only the UNP that brought Sirisena to power, but many other parties and people. Sirisena is now talking confidently and trying to ruin the reputation of the UNP, and we have reason to believe that his intention is just that," Karunanayake stated.  Additionally, Karunanayake presented 7 files on his table, where he held information on various issues that Sirisena's decisions have had discrepancies with. "Here are 7 files. After going through these files, I openly challenge Maithripala Sirisena for an open debate. This should be discussed openly. There are over 100 such allegations, but tabled here is just 7 files with discrepancies. One file contains the issue of a company called EL Cardo, which is also owned by Sirisena's family. Also, the CBSL Governor was changed, and a report with no details was submitted," he added.  Additionally, Karunanayake said that Sirisena claimed to be against the sale and consumption of alcohol and cigarettes, whereas when his own family was concerned, his principles were compromised.  "Sirisena claimed openly that he is against the use of cigarettes and alcohol. Whereas, when his own family member opened a restaurant, on a special order, she was given a bar permit. In 2015, the issuance of bar permits were halted, whereas in the month of June, when his family member wanted a bar permit, it was instantly given. This was also exposed by the media," Karunanayake said.  Karunanayake added that when the bar permit issuance was exposed, Sirisena fabricated stories that it was the UNP that made such statements to defame him.  In his speech, Karunanayake said that Sirisena had always intended to put the UNP down, despite knowing that it was the UNP that had brought him to power.


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