No support from JO for NCM against Rishad! So Basil also one of the black sheep ? Eh .. ?

The Joint Opposition has decided not to support the No Confidence Motion (NCM) initiated by MP Rathana Thera, said the JO Deputy Chairman Ratnapura District MP Ranjith de Soysa.

He said Rathana Thera who had supported the ousting of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has no right to bring in any proposal to defeat terrorism in this country.

“Athuraliye Rathana Thera claims he is bringing in a NCM to oust Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. We have no issue with that move. He has nurtured and supported extremism and there is ample evidence against him. However, the government won’t take any action against him.

Not only he but we have an issue with all Muslim extremist leaders who have tried to propagate extremist ideologies. All this started after January 08th, 2015 when they supported to defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa and betray the country. Hence, Rathana Thera has no right to talk about defeating terrorism and we will not support any proposal brought in by him.”

Basil’s protest

Meanwhile, issuing a statement the SLPP said there is absolutely no truth to the reports that Basil Rajapaksa has opposed the move to bring in a No Confidence Motion against Rishad Bathiudeen.

Although this matter was discussed at the Party Leader’s meeting yesterday, but the press release stated that at that meeting Basil Rajapaksa had not indicated verbally or even indicated that he was against a NCM against Minister Bathiudeen.

Therefore, the SLPP had vehemently denied reports that Basil Rajapaksa is against a NCM to be brought in against Bathiudeen.