Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Colombo District Chief Organiser and MP Mujibur Rahman said that Anura Kumara Dissanayake has succeeded in bringing the entire opposition together.
He made this remark yesterday when speaking to the media after visiting former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is currently in remand custody, to inquire about his wellbeing.
Rahman accused the government of resorting to politically motivated actions to maintain its popularity as public support continues to decline.
“When the government’s popularity fades, they look for stunts to protect it. They spoke of bringing the Batalanda Commission to Parliament and of pursuing the Central Bank incident. Then they claimed there were 250 bar permits issued illegally. None of those accusations were followed through. Finally, they arrested Ranil Wickremesinghe over allegations that he used public funds during a foreign trip. And who is the complainant? The President’s own Secretary. That alone shows this is political revenge,” Rahman charged.
He further alleged that the accusations are selective and politically biased.
“Anura Kumara himself used state resources during election campaigns—fuel was pumped from Pelawatte for his trips during parliamentary and local elections. That too is public money. Even helicopter trips to places like Anuradhapura were made with public funds. If that is misuse, then it applies to him as well. But now the government is trying to show that the law applies equally to all. Where are the cases against Cabinet members who also face allegations? Some of them have had their cases moved from one court to another. Some ministers facing bribery and corruption charges are still holding office. If the rule of law truly applies, they should step down,” he said.
Rahman accused the government of using the law only as a weapon against its critics. “They are now hunting the opposition. Those who speak against the government are the ones being punished,” he added.
