• I will not criticize the Judiciary anymore

By Yohan Perera and Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

Popular actor turned politician Ranjan Ramanayake who announced the formation of United Democratic Voice (UDV) together with former Sri Lankan cricketer T. M. Dilshan yesterday, said he would continue to fight corruption while watching his tongue.    

“I have signed an affidavit stating that I will not criticize the Judiciary anymore and I will fight against corruption with this in mind through my new party. Our party intends to become a voice to the voiceless as I have pledged after coming out of prison in 2022. We also intend to convert Sri Lanka into a beautiful and rich nation,” Ramanayake told a press briefing.   

“We have noticed that there was a political vacuum for a political party which comprises honest people. I also looked at other parties and found that almost all who ran those face allegations. All parties which ruled Sri Lanka during the past have brought the nation to a crisis,” he also said.   

Asked whether he could contest an election legally, Ramanayake said leading lawyers in the nation have advised him that there is no legal obstacle for him to engage in active politics. “I have not committed any crime and the offence which I was charged with is misusing freedom of expression. I will speak diligently while fighting against corruption,” he said.   

Ramanayake said he inquired from the Election Commission whether he could vote at an election and engage in active politics and the commission gave the green light. It was revealed that he received a poll card to cast his vote at the Presidential election and that prompted him to enter active politics.   

T. M. Dilshan who is the National Organizer of UDV said he has decided to bring pride to the nation as a politician the way he did during his days as a cricketer. “I brought pride to the nation as a cricketer and I hope to do the same as a politician,” he said in this regard.   

Ramanayake will be contesting the General Election from UDV in the Gampaha District while T. M. Dilshan is to contest from Kalutara. Former MP Vadivel Suresh is expected to contest from Nuwara Eliya. The party will be contesting under the microphone symbol for all districts except for Matara and Hambantota.   

Both Ramanayake and Dilshan were members of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) while Vadivel Suresh backed former President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the recently concluded Presidential election.