S.B. Dissanayake sees a bright future for himself and UNP – Daily Mirror
Posted by Ajith on March 11, 2009
UNP National Organizer S.B. Dissanayake dropped a political bombshell yesterday charging that there was an internal conspiracy in his party to politically assassinate him and assistant leader Rukman Senanayake with the backing of some sections of the ruling UPFA.
Addressing the media at his Colombo residence, Mr. Dissanayake said they had been slandered in the media by these party elements on baseless allegations.
“These persons who are close to the party leadership have accused me and Mr. Senanayake of holding secret negotiations with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and conspiring against the party. There is no truth in any of these allegations. During the past two or three months, I have never telephoned the President. I am challenging anyone to prove me wrong if possible in this regard. I am ready to show my phone bills as well,” he said.
Mr. Dissanayake said he had become extremely popular among the ordinary UNPers and the minority communities as well, as proven through the results of the election to the Central Provincial Council.
S.B. Dissanayake at Bandaragama
“At the previous election, the party’s vote bank had dwindled to 27 – 28 percent. However, I was able to maintain it at 39 percent in the Kandy district and at 45 percent in the Nuwara-Eliya district. I got a record high number of preferential votes in Kandy. I have got the highest number of preferences in all 13 electorates of Kandy. It is also a record,” he said.
He said he had to put his entire weight to secure these votes in the two districts when the party’s vote bank was eroding drastically in the other districts.
“I don’t want to reveal to the media the discrimination I had to suffer in the run up to the election. This time, even some strong UNP supporters voted for the government. When we visited the electorates, we realized that our people had certain charges against the party. They are disappointed with it now. So, they have the tendency to vote for the government party at this stage. These elements that attack a popular figure like me is leading the party down the path of further disaster,” he said.
Mr. Dissanayake charged these internal forces had links with the government, and their sole ambition was to ensure an easy victory for the President’s second term, by discrediting popular party figures like him.
“These persons have misled the party leadership. They pretend to be so close to the leader and hold certain top positions as well. There are some rogues who made money fraudulently during the previous UNP regime by obtaining quotas for apparels,” he said.
“I will never leave the UNP. My ambition is to defeat the Rajapaksa government, and bring the UNP to power. It is the only party that can bring this country out of poverty,” he insisted. Mr. Dissanayake also said he would not come to Parliament at this hour on the National List despite certain remarks made by some MPs.
“I have a respectable position in the Provincial Council. Even the government members respect me. In fact, I can even topple the council by winning over eight councillors from the other side. However, I will not rush into such action,” he said in a lighter vein.
He reiterated his ultimate wish was to become the President of this country by being the party leader first.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=42948
Anura Bandara said
Ajith, I find it very strange. You have neither spoken or published a photo of your party leader Ranil Wickremasinghe for a long time. Why? Are you too tired of him like so many others? Not that I blame you if so.
Senaka said
Some time back S. B. was telling that he would retire from politics once he reaches the age of sixty (60). Now he is planning to become the leader of the party and the president of country.
Senaka said
S. B. who told media soon after the elections (for the Central Provincial Council) that the party leader gave him fullest support is now saying that “I don’t want to reveal to the media the discrimination I had to suffer in the run up to the election.”
Voice in Colombo said
The hard core UNP’ers will never let SB to be the party leader. If at all there’s any hope for the UNP; that got to be Sajith. But then again, he’s being cornered to a desert district.
Why UNP never appoint newly popular characters to Colombo district? Why Karu was moved to Gampaha district, where as he started his political career from Colombo MC? Why Milinda Moragoda had to leave UNP?
And who is this new funny “Ruwan Wijewardene” pushed so hard by the UNP, for upcoming Western provincial council?
Ajith! I know you love your party. My father did love it too. He never voted any other party, ever since independence. he voted Ranil in last presidential election. But you know what? He now regrets for voting Ranil, against Mahinda. No matter how much you dislike to believe, that’s the common mentality of most of the long standing UNP supporters. You people blame SLFP to be dominated by Rajapakshe’s. But undeneath the radar, there’s a “Wijewardene” saga going inside the UNP. Innocent voters doesn’t see this. The party is dominated by only a certain family blocks. They won’t let some one from common public to climb into the leadership. Not SB. Nor Sajith.
It’ll be “Wijewardene” family tree all alone for ever!!!
BTW, we must congratulate SLFP’ers for “liberating” it from Bandaranayake’s. Now Ajith, it’s your turn to liberate UNP from Wijewardene’s.
Senaka said
Ajith, I think you should give publicity to the lankaenews report also regarding the same press conference.
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=7279
A maniac and a thief close to the leader demolishing the party, S.B.
(Lanka-e-News, March 10, 2009, 5.50 PM)
United national Party (UNP) National Organizer S. B. Disanayaka says that close associates of the party leader are destroying the party. He named one person as a maniac who earned millions from quotas and another as a person who swindled millions during the UNP government was in power. They, together with several more in higher party positions, are contracted by the government to destroy the party.
Addressing a press conference held in Disanayaka�s house in Baththaramulla this afternoon (10), he said that these persons are slinging mud at popular figures aiming to tarnish their image to weaken the party and the party membership.
He charged that a group from UNP in connivance with the government forces was carrying out a false propaganda campaign against him through ‘Irudina’ newspaper for politically assassinating him.
He said that first they publicized that Disanayaka often telephoned to the President and he would join the government. However, he vowed that he would not isolate the party and the party membership. He said that the only occasion he talked with the President after the Provincial Council election was when the latter phoned him to wish for achieving highest preferential votes.
He said that he was ready to submit his telephone call details to the ‘Irudina’ newspaper and vowed he would resign from politics if the allegation that he phoned to the President was proved.
S. B. Disanayaka says that �Irudina� recently posted a new that he and Rukman Senanayaka were plotting to sack Deputy Leader and Sajith Premadasa. He pointed out that this allegation is brought after he participated in a UNP parliamentary group meeting on an invitation in which Rukman, Sajith, Johnston, Lakshman Senevirathna, Kabir Hashim, Wajira, Renuka Herath and several others expressed views.
He said that he had to bear all the burden of the Central Provincial Council election as the President himself was leading the ruling party. Disanayaka said that he was not willing to expose those who were trying to drag his feet. He accused that the conspirators against him are those who hold party high positions while talking the ways of making the President win the second Presidential as well. They are trying to destroy the party and the leadership, he charges pointing out that they did the same in the past as well.
Disanayaka said that he was able to keep the vote percentage in Nuwaraeliya district at 45% and Kandy district at 36-37% whilst the percentage in the province fell to 27-28%. He said that he achieved highest number of preferences in all 13 seats in Kandy district whilst Buddhist monks led the election campaigns in six seats. Around 35,000 of minority votes were granted to him, he said.
Disanayaka says that those who scared with the 181,000 preferential votes he achieved are slinging mud at him now.
‘Irudina’ newspaper is handled by the party. Persons to be interviewed are selected by the party media unit. They attacked to me and Rukman that talked about party development. Won’t the party figures loved by the party members be pushed towards the government in such contexts? Is it good for the party? Aren’t these persons carrying out a government contract saying that they are acting in that way to safeguard the party?” Disanayaka said adding that he knew those who often discuss with the President and the President’s Advisers.
Disanayaka requested not to destroy the party appearing in the guise of party friends. He promised that he would not leave party for money or positions.
Disanayaka did not answer directly to a media query if the party leadership was also linked to the conspiracy.
The UNP national organizer said that he was not ready to reveal party internal dialogues to the outer world. He said that the UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe had told him to write an answer to the Irudina story and to hold a pres conference if it was not published.
Disanayaka asked the party membership not to be misled by the conspiracies and to give a hand to build the party. He said that Mahinda Rajapakse regime has no solution to the economic crisis.
In response to a journalist, he said that he personally believed that a ceasefire was unnecessary at this juncture the war is coming to an end. But there should be a power devolution following the end of war to prevent the beginning of another war, he added.
In response to another query, he said that he did not intend to come to the parliament urgently through the national list at this moment since he had lot of tasks in the Provincial Council.
Responding to another question, he said that he wished to become the President and did not intend to struggle for party leadership.
Mala said
When I saw this Daily Mirror report last night (10/Mar/2009) it was full of comments from the readers. I can clearly remember more than 30 such comments and most of the commentators had predicted that SB is trying to leave the party. Strangely by today (11/Mar/2009) morning not only all the comments have been removed but also it has been made impossible to post any more comments.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=42888
Attempt to politically “assassinate me” – S.B
UNP National organiser S.B Dissanayeka says there is an attempt within his party to politically “assasinate” him.
Mala said
According to Daily Mirror SB wants to become the party leader “He reiterated his ultimate wish was to become the President of this country by being the party leader first.” ( – http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=42948 )
But According to LankaEnews SB does not want to become the party leader “Responding to another question, he said that he wished to become the President and did not intend to struggle for party leadership.” ( – http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=7279 )
Liberal Lanka said
Ajith
So you seem to be tired of Ranil as well don’t you? can’t blame you.I agree Ranil is not marketable anymore. Sri Lanka doesn’t deserve someone like Ranil, what it deserves is crooks in the caliber of JR, RP and MR.
@VIC
As for sajith, he chose Hambantota no one pushed him there, it is always easier to fool the rural folk.
Milinda had to leave because of the COPE report.
Whats is so good about Bandaranayakes been replaced by Rajapakshes? Why can’t we get rid of these family politics?
As for Ruwan I agree, Ranil is trying to bring in him and it is sad.
Charmaine said
Who abducted Prof. Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake?
Former Rupavahini chairman abducted
Former Rupavahini chairman Prof. Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake reported abducted from his residence in Kottawa. His family lodged a complaint with the Kahatuduwa police.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=43008
Prof. Ganganath returns home
Former Rupavahini chairman Prof. Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake reported abducted from his residence in Kottawa yesterday has returned home. Police said, he claims that he was abducted by his former political party supporters.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=43057
Anonymous said
//‘Irudina’ newspaper is handled by the party.\\
Ha haaa! So called independent media! He heeeee Irudina is the Sinhala version of Sunday Leader!!!
@(Lee)Barrel Lanka,
I didn’t know you were such a Ranil fan
What’s your definition of moving Karu to Gampaha district? Why do you think UNP appointed Thilanga Sumathipala to Anuradhapura? Now he’s competing for Colombo from UPFA.
Sajith explicitly say he work in Hambantota volunterily. But the truth is, some one want to corner him to a district where the vote base is so low; so that he couldn’t get more “manapa” than the party leader.
If Milinda left UNP for COPE report; why didn’t Ravi? Don’t try to fool anyone. There was an internal pressure for Milinda, to leave the party because he was becoming more popular in Colombo District.
JR handed the “Wijewardene family batton” to Ranil. (BTW, Upali Wijewardene was “mysteriously” disappeared!). Now, Ranil is pushing another Wijewardene to the UNP supporters. can’t you see the pattern?
There’s actually no good in Bandaranayake’s been replaced by R’pakshes. But it’s progressive! It’s better to have a second family coming in, than one family dominate. Look for the positives. One step at a time!
Liberal Lanka said
@anonymous
what caused you such agony to ridicule my pseudo name?
Yes I am a fan of Ranil simply because his monetary policy was very responsible and he is not the crook of a politician we normally get.
Sajith started his political carrer in Hambantota, nobody gave it to him. Amazing how you have dug the ‘truth’ from no where.
Just because the crook Ravi didn’t leave the UNP how can you come into the conclusion that the COPE didn’t play any part in the defection of Milinda? A bunch of COPE accuseds cross over to government, president appoint his crook brother to the COPE, pressurizes the COPE chairman and we see the COPE been effectively shutdown. I guess all those were coincidents
So you think that karu been moved to gampaha is a conspiracy huh? I have news for you, Ruwan wijewardene is also contesting from Gampaha. Is that a conspiracy too
//Why do you think UNP appointed Thilanga Sumathipala to Anuradhapura?//
Funny question, I am not a member of UNP so don’t know the exact reason. Are you implying that he was also cornered fearing he would take more ‘manapa’ than the leader? That is a good one
//There’s actually no good in Bandaranayake’s been replaced by R’pakshes. But it’s progressive! It’s better to have a second family coming in, than one family dominate.//
Oh yes it is better to the second family, not to the country
In the case of Bandaranayake’s it was always one person at a time, but now it is the whole family controlling everything, what is the better one?
Voice in Colombo said
Liberal Lanka,
Actually the above “Anonymous” comment was made by me. For some reason it was published as “Anonymous”. I don’t know how and why. May be Ajith can clarify this
Ajith said
VIC, if you forget to sign a comment that will be published as Anonymous. You don’t have to be an Einstein to figure out. It is also a good way to create an excuse to bash me somewhere else on false allegations.
Liberal Lanka said
VIC
Yes, I had a feeling that it was you. Didn’t want to accuse without any proof.
Senaka said
SB spills the beans
http://www.lakbima.lk/archive/last_30_03_09/articles/spec1.htm (Lakbima 30-Mar-2009)
Unknown Man Makandura said
Hello… what’s this who’s is S.B S-sucker B-bee that man like one bee of unp’s one day in one party another day going next party.I’m also say S.B is should drop to Damn to hell SB is a one robber of unp’s “manapa” I think like this man should chop to pieces then Johnston and other several people who may think their is only one real members for innocent peoples.any way keep in mind that things above me said, say our leaders any way I’m strictly say this presedential election sure we can win Gen sure be next president..