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Vimukthi Kumaratunga denies politics rumours

11 Aug 2021

  • To continue as a vet without entering politics 
BY Buddhika Samaraweera and Dinitha Rathnayake In response to recent reports that the son of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Dr. Vimukthi Kumaratunga, is planning to enter the political sphere, the latter has stated that he completely dissociates himself from these reports.  Dr. Kumaratunga, in a communication to The Morning, said that he had no intention of entering politics and that he would continue to work as a veterinarian and be committed to working on specialist training as a veterinary ophthalmologist in the UK.  “I love my country of birth. I hope to raise awareness and to contribute, in my personal capacity, to the many causes in Sri Lanka that I hold dear. However, I would like to clearly state that I have no intention whatsoever of engaging in Sri Lankan politics. Therefore, I appeal to everyone to disregard any statement alleging my aspirations to become a politician,” he added.  Stating also that he has striven to carve out a dignified and private life for himself, Dr. Kumaratunga further said: “I kindly request that the Sri Lankan media and public respect my privacy.”  Following the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Kumara Welgama's recent statement that plans were underway to bring to power an educated youth from a well-known family with a political background, under a broad political alliance, there were reports that it was Dr. Kumaratunga to whom Welgama was referring to. However, former President Kumaratunga subsequently denied the reports that her son, Dr. Kumaratunga, is to enter active politics. Speaking to the media recently, Welgama said that a broad political alliance would be formed against the present Government and that it is likely to be named the “Api Sri Lanka”. “A very good leader is coming in the future. We are working to bring forward an educated young leader from a well known family through this alliance that is to be formed,” he added. However, when queried by the media as to whether Dr. Kumaratunga is the young leader he is referring to, Welgama pointed out that whether this is in fact the case would be seen in the future. However, in a recent communication to The Morning, former President Kumaratunga said: “The propaganda that Vimukthi Kumaratunga is to enter active politics in the near future is completely false and I completely deny it.”  She also said that Dr. Kumaratunga had no interest or desire to enter politics and had no intention of inheriting the “sacrifices and persecutions” undergone by the Bandaranaikes (a reference to the slain Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, the late Premier Sirimavo Bandaranaike and the late Minister Anura Bandaranaike), for the sake of politics.  “Although he loves our country very much, it is not only through politics that someone could serve their country of birth. Therefore, I urge all people not to be deceived by such false propaganda,” she added.


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