Chairman of Federation of National Organisations and President of the Patriotic National Movement Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera yesterday said that the UNP, the UPFA, the JVP and the People’s Movement for a Just Society leader Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera reveal their positions on TNA leader R. Sambandan’s recent statement that his party wanted federalism.

Secretary of the Patriotic National Movement Wasantha Bandara said, “Federalism will be a stepping stone to Eelam and with the kind of pressure mounting on Sri Lanka the separatists will achieve what they dream of if Ranil Wickremesinghe and the UNP are voted into power.”

I often wonder why people can’t unite. Is it because they are so consumed with hate? That they are blinded by it? I refuse to believe that. No man would hate so much that he cannot love. We are frail, after all, and inasmuch as none of us is perfect...

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an interview with The Nation said that he would work aggressively to restore faith in institutions related to law and order if his party is voted to power.  He spoke confidently of his chances and said he relishes the prospect of going head to head with Ranil Wickremesinghe, who he claims had been using proxies for many years instead of facing him directly.  The following are excerpts of the interview held in his home in Medamulana.

The Passing Away of Don Randall, MP for Canning

The untimely death of West Australian Federal Liberal MP Don Randall is a great shock to us all and has sadness to all.  Don was a decent and a genial person who always gave a listening ear to others, and was much loved by Australians of Sri Lankan origin. 

Don was the Chair of the Sri Lanka Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group from its inception and swapped the position with Labor Senator Steve Hutchins to become the Deputy for short periods. Both statesmen became truly great friends of Sri Lanka in her time of greatest need.  Don always stood up in Parliament to put the record straight whenever an issue related to Sri Lanka arose.