Sajith frowns on election laws, laments suspension of ‘projects’

Ranjan Ramanayake and Sajith Premadasa

By Shamindra Ferdinando-January 18, 2018, 11:09 pm 

UNP deputy leader Sajith Premadasa, MP, said that he had been recently compelled to postpone handing over of buses to eight schools in the Hambantota District in view of current restrictions in place due to forthcoming Local Government polls.

Countrywide elections to LG authorities are scheduled for Feb.10.

Addressing a public rally at Yodakandiya, Tissamaharama, early this week, housing and constructions minister Premadasa said that he had raised funds required for the project with the help of friends, philanthropists, dignitaries and various companies.

Premadasa said that eight buses that had been bought at the cost of Rs 3.5 mn each were now parked outside his home until the conclusion of LG polls.

The UNPer said that current restrictions prevented him from handing over the buses to Pangamuwa Rajakeeya Vidyalaya, Debarawewa Janadhipathi Vidyalaya, Yodakandiya Devananda Vidyalaya, Hambantota Suchi Vidyalaya, Hambantota Primary School, Hambantota Zahira, Ambalantota Therapuththa National School and Viharagala Vidyalaya at Sooriyawewa on his 51 birthday. Premadasa said that since he had launched Hambantota district based political career 24 years ago a two week long project was conducted annually to mark his birthday on January 12.

Premadasa said that he rejected a request to hand over one out of eight buses and reschedule the event after the polls.

Premadasa regretted that he couldn’t go ahead with some planned activities, including handing over of buses to schools due to protests and obstacles. Premadasa alleged that interested parties sabotaged the projects meant to bring relief to the needy.

The UNP Deputy Leader said that the above mentioned schools had sought his help to acquire a bus of their own after he provided buses to national schools at Debarawewa and Sooriyawewa.

Premadasa alleged that those who had robbed the country were against relief being given to the needy.

Reiterating that his projects were never aimed at elections, Premadasa insisted that he didn’t gain political advantage through development work and relief rendered to those struggling to make ends meet.

Premadasa recently drew fierce criticism from his opponents when at the onset of the local government polls campaign he vowed to continue planned projects regardless of election laws. Premadasa declared that he wouldn’t even mind going to prison by rendering assistance to the needy.

However, addressing the gathering at Yodakandiya, Premadasa said that he accepted instructions and advice received regarding elections laws. He said unlike previous rulers, they wouldn’t disregard instructions and advice received from relevant authorities.

In an obvious reference to National Elections Commission (NEC) intervention, Premadasa said that they peacefully accepted directives received in that regard.

Premadasa acknowledged that they had been forced to suspend the issuance of housing loans installments until the conclusion of the polls.

Castigating those who had demanded suspension of various ongoing projects until the end of elections, Premadasa said the UNP would comfortably secure Tissamaharama Pradeshiya Sabha.

Premadasa reminded that as a minister he didn’t receive any payment from the government though he served the Hambantota district.

Responding to growing opposition allegations that youth had been given temporary employment in the run-up to Feb. 10 polls, Premadasa reassured over 5,750 job recipients in the Tissamaharama electorate that they didn’t have anything to worry. Premadasa said that in addition to them, about 15,000 employment opportunities would be soon available in the state sector.