SB’s Hisbullah claim rocks the boat | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

SB’s Hisbullah claim rocks the boat

13 October, 2019

Parliamentarian S B Dissanayake’s statement that M.L.A.M Hisbullah would join forces with Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa has shocked the political spectrum in the run up to the Presidential election, which SLPP front liners were quick to refuse.

Speaking at a press conference, Dissanayake is heard to say that similar to the votes of Douglas Devananda, Thondaman, Athaulla, the votes of Hisbulla will also be added to the votes of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Dissanayake said Hizbullah is not someone who is engaged in large scale corruption like Rishad Bathiudeen (the Minister of Industry and Commerce). He said Hizbullah only took foreign funds to make a ‘good university’.

In the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks, Hisbulla’s action was heavily criticized and his involvement with the Eastern University, Batticaloa Campus (private) Limited sparked controversy.

It was due to a hunger strike held by parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera calling for the removal of Hisbulla that he resigned from the post of governor- Eastern province.

“The cat is finally out of the bag,” leader of National Unity Front (NUF) Azath Salley said.

“What is Ratana Thera going to do now?” asked Salley on the U-turn made by Dissanayake when he praised the former governor. Parliamentarian Athuraliye Ratana Thera was also campaigning against the private state-of-the-art university built in Batticaloa, which he said has to be taken over by the government.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer, Ratana Thera said Hizbullah is free to join whatever political party as he desires. However, he vowed to independently fight against the ‘Sharia’ University.

“It was built unlawfully. Hizbullah is responsible for it,” the Thera said.

He added that he is going to hold a discussion with Rajapaksa about Hizbullah’s plans and take a decision. NUF’s Salley said Hizbullah’s presidential candidacy was announced tactfully to gain Muslim votes.

Meanwhile, Dilan Perera who also recently joined the SLPP together with Dissanayake, says the Hisbulla represents extremism and was therefore ousted from his position of governor.

“The people of Katankudy won’t vote for Hisbullah. They are not extremists. But a smaller group of extremists will vote for Hisbullah. He is person who has already been ousted,” Dilan Perera said. Meanwhile, SLPP parliamentarian Namala Rajapaksa in a tweet refused the claims made by Dissnayake. He said that the Presidential candidate of the SLPP does not intend to enter into any political agreement with another presidential candidate.

“While emphasizing that there is no need for the SLPP to come into such agreements with another candidate, it is also noted that entering into such an agreement will be a violation of the election laws,” Namal Rajapaksa said.

Sunday Observer’s attempts to contact Hizbullah were futile.

 

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