UNF rebel joins Namal on visit to Vanni East

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UNF rebel joins Namal on visit to Vanni EastSeptember 21, 2010, 8:23 pm
by Shamindra Ferdinando

Close on the heels of UNF MP Sri Ranga switching his allegiance to the ruling party, he received an invitation to accompany MP Namal Rajapaksa on a visit to Vanni east, where they visited several places, including the scene of the final battle.
The VIR (Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment) troops killed LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on May 19 morning, 2009 to bring the war to an end.
MPs Rajapaksa and Ranga also saw what was left of Jordan’s Farah III at Vellamullivaikkal. They had an opportunity to visit one of the houses owned by LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran
The Jordanian merchant vessel ran aground in December 2006 and since then the Sea Tigers had used it as a platform to launch attacks on SLN convoys. Sources said that the two newcomers to parliament had participated in a series of events organised by the government in the former LTTE-held area. Sources said that the MPs had visited the Vanni overland and met both officials and people to explore ways and means to improving living conditions in the area. They visited Pooneryn on the north-western coast.
The government also accommodated Ranga on its delegation to the 65th United Nations General Assembly headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The UNP Working Committee hit back last Friday by terminating political links with Ranga, former Sirasa employee, who had been in charge of Tamil political programmes. Political sources said that the UNP action meant nothing as Ranga had quit the UNP-led coalition several weeks ago. Ranga had cut off political links first, sources said, recalling the government had provided the media personality with police body guards even before the last parliamentary election. Sources said that Ranga had been with the government throughout, though the UNP fielded him in Nuwara Eliya at the April 8 election.
Sources said that with Ranga and Palani Digambaram (UNF/Nuwara Eliya) switching their allegiance to the UPFA, the government had full control of Nuwara Eliya represented by seven members.