Minister Weerawansa addressing a ceremony held to mark the handing over of Siridhamma Mawatha Housing Scheme renovated at a cost of Rs 13.5 million to the owners at Dematagoda on Saturday (09) said if Wickremesinghe would not contest in the forthcoming presidential election, the latter would nominate one who would never lead the UNP to victory.

“By doing so he could save both the party leadership and Opposition leader titles. Thus, he would let a candidate weaker and incompetent than him to contest from the UNP,” the Minister said.

Minister Weerawansa said that Wickremesinghe could not bear with the fact that the country has been developed far beyond it had been expected by the UNP and other opposition parties. “When we carpeted the roads, Wickremesinghe criticized it. By using those very same roads we have developed he is now able to travel to several places in a single day to hold several meetings. He contested in three presidential elections and failed to win. If he contests and loses again, it would be difficult to hold onto the positions of party leader and opposition leader. Therefore he would select a scapegoat that would perform badly so that Wickremesinghe could cling onto his leadership posts.”

The Siridhamma Mawatha Housing Scheme at Dematagoda comprising 72 houses was renovated by the State Engineering Corporation. Among those present on the occasion of ceremony were Colombo Municipal Council member Mohamed Mussamil, Secretary to the Ministry of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities PHL Wimalasiri Perera, Chairman of the State Engineering Corporation Jagath Kumara Perera, Chairman of the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) Attorny-at-Law Kapila Gamage, General Manager of CMA UG Upawansa, General Manager of the National Housing Development Authority Brig Mahinda Mudalige, Consultant to the Janasevana National Housing Secretariat Lakvijaya Sagara Palansuriya and local government officials.  (Special Reporter)

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