Susil claims 50 lawmakers expected to attend their next meeting

The ‘New Alliance’ (NA), comprising dissident SLPP MPs, on Saturday (24) stepped up attacks on the JVP-led NPP and the SJB, alleging that they didn’t propose any tangible action plan to facilitate economic recovery.

The NA alleged that the JJB sought to deceive the public again on its much touted anti-corruption campaign whereas the SJB reiterated all sorts of promises though the country lacked the wherewithal to implement them.

The NA held its second public meeting at Hyde Park with the participation of two Cabinet ministers, Nalin Fernando and Education Minister Susil Premjayantha, who is also the Leader of the House. Other speakers included Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Nimal Lanza, who initiated the group that openly advocated pro-Wickremesinghe stand soon after the SLPP disintegrated.

Pointing out that the JVP repeatedly declared those who robbed the country would be hauled up before courts in the run-up to the 2015 presidential poll, MP Lanza said that the economy was in such a precarious situation that promises couldn’t be made. The Gampaha district MP said that the current crisis couldn’t be overcome by printing money and taking more loans.

MP Lanza challenged the JJB and SJB to present their economic action plans without depending on political rhetoric meant to manipulate the masses. The MP claimed that by March this year, the New Alliance would have the support of a significant number of MPs, as well as large groups of supporters. Declaring their intention to hold a major public rally in May this year, MP Lanza said that the Hyde Park meeting would be followed by rallies in Hambantota, Badulla and Monaragala.

The NA campaign began with a public meeting held at Ja-Ela last month.

Lanza flayed the JVP over its recent visit to India. The SLPP dissident asked how the JVP justified its change of attitude towards India after having followed an extremely anti-India stand over the past several decades.

Declaring that the JVP posed no threat to them politically, MP Lanza claimed that Messrs Sajith Premadasa, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Namal Rajapaksa are fighting for the Opposition Leader’s post.

Minister Premjayantha declared that their next public meeting would attract as many as 50 sitting MPs. Minister Premjayantha as well as MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Sugeeswara Bandara, former private secretary to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fiercely attacked the JVP reccalling the violence the during 1971 and 1987-1990 insurgencies. (SF)

MP Lanza addressing the Hyde Park rally