“I heard of my removal from the UNP District Chairmanship of the party through the media. I may be deprived of all positions, but I shall not leave the party”, Moneragala District parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara told a media gathering at his residence.
“I was not notified of my removal. The General Secretary has asked me to attend the Executive Committee Meeting of the Party on March 9. I reiterate I handed over the document given to me by party head quarters to the returning officer”, he said.
“There is a rumour I removed a name from the list of nominations.
“My father was murdered because he was a UNP activist. Although my paternal uncle who brought me up --Dharmadasa Banda-- joined UPFA, I did not leave the party. I have been undefeated in politics for over thirty years.
I was a parliamentary representative for twenty years. No allegation of fraud or corruption were ever brought against me. The people of Wellassa are with me because I practised clean politics. I am indebted to them forever. ”
He added Tissakuttiarchchi --a member of SLFP Mangala faction-- was engaged in destroying his party. “He came from Hambantota and cheated people of Wellassa of millions” he said.
“The people who were fooled by him voted for him and now they are cursing themselves.” He added.
He alleged at the last Presidential election Tissakuttiarachchi did not support the common candidate. He was quiet because the Provincial Council was investigating the large-scale financial fraud he had committed.
“Now he is fooling our leaders and trying to destroy the party .We cannot allow a puppy from the Mangala faction to destroy our party. The entire executive committee of Moneragala has dedicated themselves to bring victory to our party” he claimed.
Madduma Bandara claimed all electorate organisers, district organisers, Pradeshiya Sabha Chairmen and the leaders of opposition parties had written to him accepting him as the district leader.
Tissakuttiarachchi is carrying out a contract given to him by a UPFA Minister from the Thanamalwila area. The UNP list will never change” he told the media.
Mr. Madduma Bandara said the party leadership had made an archaic decision. I did not wrong the party. I spent my time and wealth and served the party at the risk of my life. As long as the peole of Wellassa are with me. I shall remain in the party.
My election by the people on April 08 is something definite like the sun and the moon rising.
Maddhuma Bandara added even if the party leadership dropped him the people would not do so.
Uva Provincial Council member – Ananda Kumarasiri, the organisers of Moneragala District -- R.M. Jayasinghe Bandara, Sampath Jayasuriya, Bandu Yogananda and the leader of opposition of Badalkumbura Pradeshiya Sabha were also present.
