None of the United National Party representatives was present at the public meeting organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee where all major political parties of Sri Lanka were invited.

The meeting took place at the Public Library auditorium in Colombo 07 today with the participation of a large number of people who condemned Israeli attacks on Palestinians living in the Gaza strip.

While a representative of Social Integration Minister Vasudewa Nanayakkara took part in the meeting on behalf of the government former Parliamentarian Bimal Rathnaike represented the JVP, the second largest opposition political party.

A spokesman from the organizing committee told Asian Mirror that the UNP’s invitation was hand delivered to the party by a committee member.

Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne and former UNP Parliamentarian Imthiyaz Bakeer Markar hold top positions of the Palestine Solidarity Committee of which President Mahinda Rajapaksa was also a former President.

Imthiyaz Bakeer Markar presently does not hold any position in the United National Party.

Although Western Province Councilor of the UNP, Mujiber Rahuman was present at the event, he was not a representative of the party. Rahuman told the organizers that he took part in the meeting in his personal capacity.

The Country’s main opposition party has failed to cite any reason for their non-engagement with the meeting which was organized in support of Palestinians who are under attack.