Former President Maithripala Sirisena has said that the saddest incident in his political career was the Easter attack and that he was deeply saddened by it.
He was responding to questions raised by journalists at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s Polonnaruwa District Women’s and Youth Federation Strengthening Program under the theme ‘Power for a Solution, Power for a New Start’ at the Polonnaruwa Buddhist Association Hall today (17).
Speaking further Mr. Maithripala Sirisena said that the entire farming community is in a desperate situation due to the fertilizer problem of the farmers.
Journalists:
It is said that justice has not been done to the Catholic people regarding the Easter attack. What do you think about this?
Former President Maithripala Sirisena:
“The question of the Passover attack is very complex. That is a topic that needs to be addressed with detail wise. There are currently about 20 cases in the Supreme Court, especially regarding the Easter attack. Those cases are about fundamental rights. There are also a number of cases in the district courts.
I am not able to speak about a matter that exists in the judiciary. That is the reality. I am of the opinion that justice should be done to all. I’m in a lot of pain about that too. The saddest event in my political life was the Easter attack.
Under my government, compensation of Rs.500,000 each was paid to the victims, their families and the disabled. Compensation of Rs.2 million each was paid to the disabled and injured. That is how we acted. Also, all those churches were completely renovated with the funds of the Presidential Secretariat. I have great respect and love for the Catholic people. So I’m in the position that justice should be done to all of them. The terrorists who carried out this attack must be punished. It is not possible to say anything more than this, as there are cases pending in the Supreme Court in this regard.
Journalists:
Farmers are in a desperate situation regarding the fertilizer issue. Why is the government not flexible about this? You too are a Member of Parliament representing the Polonnaruwa District. Farmers are accusing you of not opposing the government.
Former President Maithripala Sirisena:
“I have made a number of statements on the fertilizer issue. After the government announced last year to stop the importation of this fertilizer, I personally explained to the President the seriousness of the situation here and especially the adverse consequences. Also, our parliamentary group has talked to the government. We have also informed the government in writing about the fertilizer issue. Therefore, the situation faced by farmers due to this fertilizer issue has been strongly explained to the government.
We said last year that this unfortunate situation would arise. But even so, the current deplorable situation has arisen. It is said that the government is importing fertilizer now. But we have no information about that. We have to talk about the situation that will arise in the future. However, we all have to accept that the farmers are in a desperate situation .We have told the President and the government about the plight of the farmers, ”he said.
Isha Mudiyanse – Polonnaruwa