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| Thursday, 12 February 2004 |
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| SB and Ravi say UNP will win by Ranil Wijayapala Ministers S. B. Dissanayake and Ravi Karunanayake appearing before the press yesterday amidst conflicting reports about their departure from the country amidst the dissolution of Parliament, said the UNF was assured of victory in the forthcoming election although the dissolution came at an unexpected time for the UNF. Minister S. B. Dissanayake condemned the dissolution of Parliament by President Chandrika Bandaranike Kumaratunga in very strong terms describing the move as an 'undemocratic' act which went against the will of the people. Commenting on the UNF's chances of victory he said except for one the UNP is assured of winning in all districts countrywide. However, he said there would be a 'tough contest' between the two parties in five districts. Commenting on his departure from the country amidst the dissolution the Minister said he left the country to attend a wedding of the daughter of a well known public figure. He said he also visited the famous Tirupathy Hindu Kovil in India to plead the 'injustice done by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga' to God Vishnu as the dissolution of parliament took place on the same day he left the country. Minister S. B. Dissanayake criticised President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for forging an alliance with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and described the JVP as the group who assassinated her husband Vijaya Kumaratunga. "The UNF will get rid of the President who has become an obstacle to the UNF government following the victory at the forthcoming election. This will be a blessing for the UNF", he said. The Minister admitted that UNF will have to start from zero level since the Government had not been able to provide the dividends of its two years effort to the people and added that the SLFP-JVP Alliance was in full swing readying for elections. He also said that the Government could not reduce the price of fertilizer due to increased prices in the world market. However, he said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered the purchase of a kilo of paddy at Rs. 15 from this month for the benefit of farmers. Minister Ravi Karunanayake said his visit to Thailand was a Cabinet approved one. He said the dissolution of Parliament prevented the opportunity of signing a Free Trade Agreement with five Asian countries. The two Ministers said the doors were now open in the UNF for the members of the People's Alliance who wish to join with them, adding that more PA figures will join them in the coming days. |
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