UNP appeals to all political forces to preserve Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Monday, 23 August 2010, 01:36 GMT]
"The time is opportune for all Sri Lanka’s political forces opposed to the tyrannical course the present regime has set for this country to come together to preserve the future of this nation," according to the main opposition United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya's statement to media.

He further said that, "Sri Lanka is in the midst of a crisis and the euphoria of the war victory can no longer overshadow the grave economic peril, the lawlessness and obvious power hunger of a single family, all direct results of unfettered, unchecked governance of today."

"The country stands poised upon a razor’s edge. This regime has silenced dissent with brutality and violence, divided the opposition and depleted our numbers through coercion and extortion," he said in the statement.

"Somawansa Amarasingha, Gen. Sarath Fonseka, R. Sampanthan, Rauff Hakeem, Mano Ganesan, Wickremabahu Karunaratne and all those in government ranks who can no longer condone the tactics of the present regime, should get together as a strong opposition against the government," he appealed.

Meanwhile, responding to the appeal, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna leader Somawansa Amarasingha told Colombo media his party is considering the appeal and would decide its stand soon at its central committee meeting to be held next week.