SLFP wants probe on statement made by Ravi

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today called for an investigation into comments made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake where he had raised fears of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) coming under attack in Kurunegala.

SLFP spokesman Dilan Perera said that the police must immediate investigate, not just the attack in Kotahena, but also the statement made by?Karunanayake.

Speaking at a media briefing after the Kotahena attack,?Karunanayake had said that the incident could lead to a bigger?attack on the UPFA which could later be used to claim that it was the work of the LTTE.

Perera said that while the UPFA condemns the Kotahena attack it wants an investigation on the fears raised by the Finance Minister.

Meanwhile UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim said that the most recent incident of violence which took place at Bloemendhal Road, Colombo clearly demonstrates the plans of those elements who reject the culture of good governance and their intent on winning elections by unleashing terror.

He said that the UNP vehemently condemns the attack on a group of people who were peacefully engaged in Minister Ravi Karunanayake?s election campaign.

“We will not leave room for retarding our efforts to establish a civilized political culture in Sri Lanka by this type of uncivilized incidents. The Commissioner of Elections up to now has been able to conduct a peaceful election campaign within the environment of good governance ushered in on 8th of January. It has been made possible due to the clear stance of this government against acts of terror and lawlessness. We would like to emphatically state that we will not allow this type of cowardly brutal attacks to reverse the victory of good governance. We request the security establishment to initiate an immediate investigation into in this incident,” he said.

The UNP called on the public?to be firm and not get discouraged by isolated incidents of this nature and for all political parties, candidates and activists collectively act resolutely to ensure a peaceful election during the next few days and achieve the?goal of consolidating good governance. (Colombo Gazette)