Link between SJB and TNA manifestos: PM

By Lahiru Pothmulla   

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday there appeared to be a common link between the election manifestos of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).   

He said this at a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) election rally held at Theldeniya in Kandy and added that SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa was in the forefront of the attempts made to split the United National Party (UNP), the oldest political party in the country. 

 
“Mr. Premadasa who divided the UNP will not be hesitate to divide the country as well. He always asks for a mandate to carry forward his father’s programme. When we speak about late President R. Premadasa, the 88-89 violence comes to mind,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.  He said the people in some villages in Kandy were massacred during the 88-89 violence. “I don’t need to remind you of that violence. About 60,000 youths were killed. This is why people are afraid of another Premadasa era,” Mr. Rajapaksa said. 

When we speak about late President R. Premadasa, the 88-89 violence comes to mind