Did Cardinal question NPP about Ibrahim?:
Public urged to scrutinise motives behind leaders who may exploit influence:
United National Party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara shed light on the lingering impacts of the devastating Easter Sunday terror attacks on April 21, which resulted in 273 fatalities and left over five hundred injured, many of whom continue to endure significant hardships. Bandara emphatically condemned this barbaric incident and discussed the consequential political and economic turmoil within the country.
Following the attacks, the political landscape in Sri Lanka
underwent significant shifts during the election season. Bandara pointed out that the Cardinal confessed to having indirectly supported the election campaign of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a decision he now regrets, admitting he was deceived by Rajapaksa.
Bandara also highlighted the Cardinal’s involvement in addressing the plight of around two million Sri Lankans was by supporting a person who had left the country during the war and lacked governance experience and diplomatic relations. The aftermath saw the country plunge into anarchy; the economy suffered severely, agricultural sectors collapsed, and shortages of daily goods became commonplace. This economic decline led to tragic incidents where citizens died in queues for essentials, and children lost access to education.
Amidst these crises, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) seized the moment to escalate political tensions, culminating in an attempt to besiege Parliament. Bandara credited the security forces for upholding democracy amidst these challenges. He criticized the JVP for exploiting the situation and accused them of preparing to engage with the Cardinal on seven issues without addressing critical concerns regarding their own affiliations with questionable figures like Ibrahim and his terrorist sons implicated in national crises.
Bandara labeled the JVP as a “murderous political gang,” suggesting their historical connections with violent entities, including Saharan. He questioned whether the Cardinal would inadvertently support such factions again, potentially jeopardizing national security.
As the country approaches another Presidential election, Bandara urged the public to scrutinise the motives behind religious and political leaders who may exploit their influence, reminding them of the crucial role their decisions play in shaping the nation’s future. He emphasized the importance of intelligent decision-making by the electorate, especially given past manipulations during critical electoral periods.
