Public protest group opposes ministerial portfolio going to Namal

Black Cap Movement that has been active in the “GotaGoGama’ project has urged the government and other political parties engaged in talks on the formation of a national government not to accommodate lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa in the Cabinet.Buddhhi Prabodha Karunaratne, in a statement issued yesterday (18) on behalf of the group said that such a move would be contrary to the struggle the protest movement waged.

Claiming that moves were underway to name MP Namal Rajapaksa as the SLPP’s National Organizer, Karunaratne alleged that the Rajapaksas were trying to hoodwink the people.The Black Cap Movement activist said that MP Rajapaksa recently asked Environment Minister Nazeer Ahamed to accommodate a person in the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMP). MP Rajapaksa’s letter shared on social media identified this individual from Tangalle as the Chief Executive Officer of the GSMB Technical Services (Pvt) Limited, a subsidiary of the state enterprise.

The Black Cap Movement emphasized that the public protest campaign was launched demanding an end to the Rajapaksas dominance in the political scene. Therefore, the protest movement would oppose ministerial portfolio to MP Namal Rajapaksa, Karunaratne said.

Political sources said that talks were continuing with the participation of the SLPP and President Ranil Wickremesinghe to explore ways and means of allocating ministerial positions. The SLPP however has insisted the lion’s share of appointments on the basis of the size of its parliamentary group.

The question is can a self-appointed group of activists decide the political future of Rajapaksas other than by the people at a free and fair election, asked an SLPP MP. (SF)