Assault charges against Sri Lanka major opposition economist MP withdrawn

A photo of the MP which created controversy among Buddhists

Sri Lanka major opposition United National Party (UNP) MP Harsha de Silva announced that the complaint against him over assault had been withdrawn by the plaintiff.

He said that the plaintiff had to withdraw the complaint since his conscience appealed him and there was an attempt to sling mud on the MP's image based on this incident.

A driver of a medical doctor lodged a complaint against the UNP MP over assaulting on January 26.

The plaintiff said that the MP hit him on his head after a verbal exchange as he was cleaning a garden adjacent to a property of the MP in Colombo. After that a security guard of the MP slapped on his face, he said, for which he sought treatment.

Later the MP has tried to settle the issue and the victim said to media in tearful eyes that he was sorry since people's representatives behaved like that.

The MP now said to media that the driver spoke to him insolently.

Government MPs naturally enjoy respect thanks to state powers they have. If Opposition MPs want to earn the real respect of the people, they must be decent first.

Sri Lanka major opposition working committee pardons two rebel MPs

Sri Lanka major opposition United National Party (UNP) media spokesman Gayantha Karunatilake said that the working committee of the UNP had decided yesterday to reinstate the suspended memberships of the Puttalam district MP Palitha Range Bandara and Kurunegala district MP Ashok Abesinghe.

The leader of the party, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe reported to the working committee that he had met the two MPs and discussed a settlement. The two MPs had agreed to grant the support to the party in line with the party constitution, the party leader said.

Accordingly, the disciplinary action against these two MPs would be terminated and the party would consider to reinstate them in the electoral organizer positions they earlier held, UNP media spokesman said.

The two MPs were accused of taking part in a meeting organized at the Hyde Park, Colombo, by the United Bhikku Front with the participation of Sarath Fonseka, going contrary to the Working Committee decision not to participate in the meeting.

Ranil to face Fonseka in Colombo polls

(February 22, Colombo - Lanka Polity)  Sri Lanka's major opposition United National Party (UNP) that has already admitted the defeat at the upcoming general election scheduled on April 8 is facing another trouble as the defeated opposition presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka is likely to contest in an alliance with the Marxist People's Liberation Front (JVP). 

Fonseka is slated to contest under National Democratic Alliance's trophy symbol in Colombo district where UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe expects to obtain a massive number of preferential votes. 

UNP abandoned Fonseka following the election and it is understood that there was a government-UNP understanding behind the arrest of the ex-General. JVP took the brunt of agitations for his release and opened up a new path for a fighting opposition under his leadership. 

Sri Lanka definitely needs a new leadership to fight the rising constitutional and democratically elected dictatorship. The opposition led by Ranil Wickramasinghe is too submissive and lethargic for the task. Perhaps, the polity will try for new options.