Ready to face any legal challenge: GL

   Pic by Kushan Pathiraja   

By Lahiru Pothmulla   

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Professor G. L. Peiris yesterday said they were ready to face any legal challenge if Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa’s parliament membership was challenged after he was appointed SLPP leader.   

Professor Peiris said this in response to a question asked at a news briefing held in Colombo yesterday.   

When asked whether Mr Rajapaksa would lose his parliamentary seat when he was appointed as SLPP Leader this Sunday, he said, “We are ready to face any legal challenge.”   
Commenting on a future SLPP Government, Prof. Peiris said they would establish an effective and a strong one as opposed to the muddled and ineffective incumbent government.   
“The government is in an internal war with itself. There’s total anarchy in the country and no solution to the issues faced by the people.   

There is no proper investigation on the Easter Sunday attacks and it was only couple of days ago the Prime Minister admitted that the government takes the responsibility of the attacks. We will embark on a genuine investigation over the attacks,” he said.   

He said the investors who frequently met Mr Rajapaksa had complained that there was no proper system in place to encourage investors to invest in the country.   

“Uncertainty reigns in the country and taxation has destroyed investors’ confidence. Exports had not been increased in years and that’s why we need an effective government,” he said.   
He also said Sri Lanka does not have a foreign policy today and that the country has succumbed to external pressure.   

Prof. Peiris said the government was aware of its unpopularity and therefore, it keeps delaying elections. “The opposition has to fight for elections today,” he said.   

SLPP National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa and its General-Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam also attended the briefing.

Uncertainty reigns in the country and taxation has destroyed investors’ confidence. Exports had not been increased in years and that’s why we need an effective government