The New People’s Front claims three Malaima MPs illegally entered Parliament without resigning from public service. As accusations of fraud, corruption, and double standards swirl, old university battles resurface and the spotlight lands on Wasantha Samarasinghe’s million-rupee assets.
The Election Commission has been formally urged to cancel the parliamentary membership of three Malaima MPs, following accusations that they entered the legislature in violation of Sri Lanka’s Constitution.
Deputy Leader of the New People’s Front Party Upatissa Kumaratunga, joined by Colombo District Lay Patron Sunil Kumara and Colombo East Electorate representative Rukman De Silva, submitted a letter to the Commission’s Chairman outlining the allegations.
According to Kumaratunga, Senior Professor Sena Nanayakkara, Senior Lecturer Dr. M. W. N. U. Gunasinghe, and Senior Lecturer P. D. N. K. Palihena were elected to Parliament without properly resigning from their public service positions or obtaining the required leave. He argued this violates Article 91 of the Constitution, which disqualifies public servants who have not officially retired from contesting elections.
Kumaratunga then shifted his focus to Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe, highlighting his long political journey from student leader to wealthy cabinet minister. He recalled serving alongside Samarasinghe two decades ago when both were university student leaders Samarasinghe at Kelaniya University and Kumaratunga at Rajarata University.
“At that time, Comrade Wasantha, who owned a private tuition class in Thambuttegama, sat at the table and shouted about protecting free education,” Kumaratunga said. “Even then, we debated his double-dealing. Today, we remind him that several MPs in his Anuradhapura district entered Parliament illegally without resigning from government service.”
Kumaratunga challenged Samarasinghe directly, accusing him of hypocrisy. “You speak about fraud and corruption, but will you speak about the MPs in your own district who violated the law? We have placed their names before the public. Now, it is your turn to respond.”
He also accused Samarasinghe of misleading students during his university activist days, claiming he dragged youth into protests, broke down gates, and even cost lives, all while later amassing personal wealth. Kumaratunga pointed to Samarasinghe’s declared assets of Rs. 270 million as proof that the former student firebrand is now part of the political elite he once condemned.
The New People’s Front insists that the Election Commission investigate and cancel the membership of MPs who entered Parliament illegally. The challenge now lies not only in exposing constitutional violations but also in forcing politicians who shout against corruption to apply the same standard to themselves and their allies.
