A tamasha or what is said to be a Boat Party organized by the Colombo Port to welcome former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and several other heavyweights of his inner circle has been condemned as outrageous at a time millions in the country are struggling to make ends meet.
Videos circulating on social media showed Rajapaksa, his son Namal, Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi and two ex Ministers Sanath Nishantha and Rohitha Abeygunawardena attending the night party on what looked like a luxury boat where alcohol was also reported to have been served to the invitees along with live music.
The General Secretary of the All Ceylon Ports Employees Union, Niroshan Gorakanage slammed the party as an insult to the suffering masses of the country at a time striking medical professionals have disrupted the healthcare of thousands to add to the daily rise in the cost of living.
Providing video evidence to support his claim, Gorakanage said: “This lavish party and the expenditure provided for it came at a cost of public funds at a time people are going through several hardships”.
But issuing a media statement Sri Lanka Ports Authority said the occasion marked an inspection tour of development at the Port complex in Colombo and no public funds were utilized.
