Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was shedding crocodile tears after being responsible for depriving school children of the mid day meal, the UNP said Wednesday.Kegalle district UNP parliamentarian Kabir Hashim told a media briefing in Colombo, that Rajapakse was a member of the Peoples Alliance government that discontinued the miday meal for school children introduced by the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa."It is ironical to hear Mr. Rajapakse expressing concern about malnutrition and childrens welfare after keeping quite when the mid day school meal was discontinued."Responding to allegations that the UNP would scrap ‘Samurdhi', when it comes to power, Hashim said that those who want to remain with ‘Samurdhi' and pick up a pittance would be free to do so.However, ‘Samurdhi' recipients who want a 300 per cent increase in assistance have the choice of switching on to the ‘Siya Saviya' programme that would be introduced by the UNP.
Ratnapura district UNP parliamentarian Thalatha Athukorale, said that Rajapakse was sympathizing with children saying that there were many who faint in school due to malnutrition , but has failed to do anything to help them all these years."Mr. Rajapakse, claims that he understands school childrens problems since he has children of his own. If that is the case what was he doing when the school mid day meal was scrapped."Athukorale, said that the people cannot be deceived anymore and were flocking round Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe who has put out a workable manifesto with solutions to all issues faced by the people."Mr. Wickremesinghe has a earned a reputation for being a man who keeps his word and will deliver on all his promises .He will pay specific attention to bringing down the high cost of living and establish the elusive peace that everyone is longing for", she said. (courtesy The Island).
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