Late President Premadasa fought two wars against LTTE and JVP terrorists

While stating that the very purpose of independence was marred by the
unnecessary loss of lives of innocent civilians and soldiers owing to the
Govt.’s mishandling of the war whereby what disasters confined to the North has
now been dragged to the whole of Sri Lanka. This is the ‘achievement’ Govt. was
trying to boast at the Independence Day celebrations, he said.

At any rate, he conveyed his deepest sympathies on behalf of the Leader and
the Party to the bereaved families and beloved ones of those who lost their
lives. To the countless many injured and in Hospitals, he prayed for their
speedy recovery.

This Govt. is heaping endless burdens on the already poverty stricken people
and requesting them to make sacrifices excusing itself on the so called war.
‘But, may I remind the Govt. that the Late President Premadasa too fought the
war. He had to fight not only the Tiger terrorists from the North, but, he had
to contend with the JVP terrorists from the South who were also on a rampage
causing mass destruction to person and property, yet, he fulfilled the election
promises – the development programs and the economic progress of the country
continued unhindered. Neither, did he impose hardships on the people as did this
Govt. The massive Janasaviya, free School uniforms and meals to children,
village development, Industrial growth and an employment boom raged in the
country.I suggest that this current President emulates Late Premadasa without
blatantly fibbing and fooling the people.’, he added.

This Govt. is only indulging in empty self advertising gimmicks and
‘Tamashas’ wasting people’s funds. The latest of its profligate venture is the
‘Deyata Kirula’ aimed at achieving by posters and Boards what it cannot achieve
in reality and truth.

Practically, every day there are mass killings of people. Has the Govt. been
able to protect them even with basic security after forcing them to make all the
sacrifices? Of course. it is only the Ministers and stooges who have all the
security, traveling with scores of security personnel and a fleet of vehicles
creating unwarranted traffic snarls blocking the Highways for hours, he
exhorted.

He also recalled how the  Ministers of the UNP worked with absolute
responsibility, honesty  and with people’s interests always at heart :when Late
Lalith Athulathmudali was shifted from the Minister of Trade to Minister of
Defence, he said, ‘so far, I did what I said, and said what I could, but,
from now on, I cannot say what I can do, and sometimes,cannot say what I have
done.’ But, under this Govt. no Minister knows what he is doing nor where he is
heading. But, only one thing they know well and do well – lying! He
concluded.