Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called on Mass Media Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne to focus on productive work in Parliament, rather than what he described as character assassination projects.
The Opposition Leader made the remarks in response to accusations levelled against him by the Deputy Minister in Parliament yesterday (09), in which she alleged that he had received Rs. 100 million from Charith Abeysinghe.
Addressing the allegations, Premadasa questioned why Ariyarathne had made what he called blatant lies.
He said he had expected her to be a mature and educated politician, adding that he was not surprised by the accusation given that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna had also faced similar allegations of dishonesty in the past.
He further claimed that he had not been aware that Ariyarathne herself had been given authority to decide on positions within his party, and stated that his party would not be governed in the manner of "the one from Pelawatta."
He also questioned whether any politician associated with the JVP could be said, responsibly, to have never been implicated in drug use or the drug trade.
Premadasa said mistakes could be made by anyone, in any political party, and that what mattered most was the action taken in response. He said conclusions could be drawn by examining who had taken what action in such circumstances.
Turning to Ariyarathne directly, the Opposition Leader noted that she was a woman and, he believed, a mother.
He referred to the 46,000 children currently under the Child Protection Authority, including 40,000 who have been victims of abuse, and appealed to her, as a mother and a woman, to direct her attention to such issues.
He concluded by inviting her to come to Parliament and engage in work that is of real importance to the country, rather than pursuing character assassination.
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