Akila blames worst UNP defeat on their actions and others’

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, General Secretary of the UNP, has, in a media statement, said: “The UNP is prepared to accept the responsibility for failures and shortcomings, both the result of its own actions and those of others.”

 The following is the text of the statement issued by Kariyawasam: “The United National Party (UNP) wishes to convey its appreciation to the Elections Commission for conducting the 2020 Parliamentary Elections successfully. It is the 19th Amendment brought by our Government that ensured this election was conducted in a free and peaceful manner. The UNP also wishes to take this opportunity to thank all public officers, tri-forces and the police who got involved in conducting a free and fair election.

 “This election was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic which partly contributed to the destruction of our economy. The UNP is the only party which presented a strategy to control COVID-19 and to resuscitate and strengthen the home economy.

 “However, the people have given a massive mandate to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and the UNP has encountered the greatest setback in its history despite many achievements which brought long-lasting benefits to the country and the people. As a party we faced many challenges internally as well as externally. The UNP is prepared to accept the responsibility for failures and shortcomings, both the result of its own actions and the actions of others.

It is evident that in this election the political parties based on policies have been overtaken by political movements. This could lead to an unstable political situation in the years to come.

 The UNP would like to appeal to its supporters and the general public to accept the outcome of the election peacefully. The party will be re-organized and re-structured to face the challenges and we will be moving forward with determination and vigour as has been done on previous occasions.”