Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara Criticises Former Political Leaders at Socialist Youth Union Conference

Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara has criticised former political leaders and alleged that those accused of corruption and other wrongdoing are now facing legal action.

He made these remarks while addressing the Socialist Youth Union Conference in Kolonnawa.

Gunasekara said that ordinary people had gained political power over the past two years and claimed that this had enabled the government to take steps against corruption, waste and misuse of public resources.

He said the country had previously been governed largely by political families and established politicians, whereas ordinary young men and women had now entered positions of political responsibility.

According to the Deputy Minister, the political movement that emerged several years ago had included a demand to change Sri Lanka's political culture, punish those responsible for corruption and rebuild the country. He said this process had continued through successive stages.

Gunasekara also referred to changes in the use of official residences, vehicles and fuel by government leaders, saying that the President had moved away from unnecessary use of official facilities and that fuel use had been restricted.

He said the government was now operating differently from previous administrations and described it as a government that distributes resources more fairly to ordinary people.

He also said the country had gone through a severe economic and political crisis and that political leaders needed to make sacrifices in order to rebuild it.

Speaking about the Socialist Youth Union, Gunasekara said young people with ability and talent should have opportunities to enter political leadership regardless of their background.

He claimed that political culture had changed during the past two years and referred to two types of buses that had become widely discussed in Sri Lanka — public transport buses and prison buses — in reference to former political figures facing legal proceedings.

Gunasekara alleged that politically influential individuals who previously possessed wealth and power had avoided legal action, but that the situation had now changed.

He specifically made allegations concerning Namal Rajapaksa, claiming that he was in prison over bribery-related allegations and that legal proceedings were continuing.

He also referred to Shiranthi Rajapaksa, alleging that she was overseas because she faced allegations. These statements were made by Gunasekara during his speech and are presented here as his claims.

He urged supporters to work in an organised manner to politically defeat those he described as responsible for corruption and said the country needed a new generation of young people capable of rebuilding it.

Socialist Youth Union Conference – Kolonnawa

The Kolonnawa Youth Conference of the Socialist Youth Union, representing the Colombo District, was held under the patronage of Deputy Minister and Chairman of the Kolonnawa Development Committee Eranga Gunasekara.

A large number of young leaders representing the various Grama Niladhari divisions within the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretariat area participated in the event.

Public representatives from the Kolonnawa Municipal Council and the Kotikawatta-Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha, among others, also attended the conference.