UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene visited Muniyangana Rajamaha Vihara in Badulla and received blessings from the monks. Thereafter, he met UNP activists in Badulla, Viyaluwa and Mahiyangana constituencies. 
Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

• Action should be taken against those who employ minors

By Yohan Perera and Pradeep Pathirana

No one should be allowed to employ minors as domestic servants, no matter whether he or she is a politician or not, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

 Mr. Wijewardene who met the UNP activists in Wiyaluwa, Badulla said action should be taken against anyone who employ minors.

“No one should be allowed to employ minors, no matter a person is a politician or not. Mr. Bathiudeen is however being held as a suspect. He is yet to be found guilty. He should be punished if found guilty,” Mr. Wijewardene said.
“UNP never nurtured Mr. Bathiudeen as he began politics with the politicians of the present government. It is true that he joined us to form the Yahapalana government in 2015. However, he joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB),” he added.

“A total number of people who had died of COVID-19 is 4380 as of today. It would have been possible to save these lives if the government booked vaccines on time. The number of cases is surging once again. One wonders whether there would be another lockdown. The advice of medical experts should be sought to resolve this crisis,” Mr. Wijewardene also said.

Asked whether anyone from SJB is currently engaged in a dialogue with UNP, Mr. Wijewardene said a few SJB MP’s had engaged in such a rendezvous lately. Some want to come back to UNP while there are others who want both parties to merge,” he said.

• UNP never nurtured Mr. Bathiudeen as he began politics with the politicians of the present government