FOUR SLFP MINISTERS RESIGN
Say cannot work with PM
Four Ministers resigned from their posts yesterday expressing their displeasure over the attitude of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and claimed that they have cast the first stone to accelerate the downfall of the government.
The four, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, State Ministers of Housing and Samurdhi, Dilan Perera, Environment Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi and Public Administration and Democratic Governance C.B.Ratnayaka told a joint news conference at the office of the Leader of the Opposition that the SLFP faction that supports the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would join the main SLFP led by President Maithripala Sirisena shortly, contest the forthcoming Parliamentary polls under one flag to win the polls and form the next government.
MOVE NOT AGAINST PRESIDENT
However, they pledged their fullest support and cooperation to President Sirisena and added their attempt was to form an SLFP government under him after the poll. The resignations were not an act against him but against the government of Mr. Wickremesinghe. “The main reason for our resignation is the arrogance and dictatorial attitude of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. He behaves like he is the Prime Minister of a majority government and his minority government has a big mandate from the people, which is not the case. We are ill-treated and no budgetary allocations were given to us to carry out grassroots level development programmes. The reconstruction and renovation of the bridges, culverts, rural roads and running of health and education has come to a standstill. Therefore, we are unable to face our voters.They ask us what we have done by joining the government and obtaining ministerial posts. The mini-budget of the government pledged to allocate Rs. 10 million for each and every MP but we have got nothing.At least not even the Rs. 5 million paid by the previous government. As a result, thousands of workers have lost their jobs. The rural economy is in tatters and no income is generated in rural areas. The Divisional Development Councils that
The mini-budget of the government pledged to allocate Rs. 10 million for each and every MP but we have got nothing. At least not even the Rs. 5 million paid by the previous government.
take decisions on day to day development activities of the periphery have not met since this government came to power,” Mr. Abeywardana charged.
FCID VICTIMISING POLITICAL OPPONENTS
Parliamentarian Dilan Perera commenting on Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) said it was a tool used to victimize political opponents.
“We have a DIG in N.K. Illangakoon and a senior IGP in Ranil Wickremesinghe above him. Ranil decides who would be interrogated by the FCID, who would be jailed or sent to the Bribery Commission and who would be sent scot-free. We do not disagree with taking action against anyone who has corruption charges against them. What we opposed is the way members of the previous government are targeted and
Mr.Wickremesinghe behaves as though there is no opposition. Many historic incidents have taken place on May 21. Some 43 years ago the Republic of Sri Lanka was born with the introduction of a new Constitution.
put behind bars using the Public Property Act (PPA),” Mr. Perera stressed.
UNETHICAL ACTS
He said it was extremely unethical and wrong to question the Diyawadana Nilame of Dalada Maligawa. He said even the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters had expressed their displeasure over the action by the FCID.The income and properties of religious places are considered Sanghika and therefore no law under the Criminal Procedure Code or PPA can be applied to inquire an issue related to a place of religious importance.
Mr. Perera paid a special tribute to his Cabinet Minister and deputy leader of the UNP Samurdhi and Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa saying that Mr. Premadasa treated him well and gave all the assistance and facilities and added
Mahinda Rajapaksa regime gave the right of franchise to the people in the North after 30 years by conducting Provincial Council polls
the incarceration of former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa for alleged mismanagement of Samurdhi funds was aimed indirectly at Minister Premadasa to warn him he would also fall into the same predicament if he becomes more popular,” Mr. Perera added.
“Minister Premadasa treated me as I were his senior and gave me a free hand,” he said. Responding to a journalist, Mr. Perera said the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime gave the right of franchise to the people in the North after 30 years by conducting Provincial Council polls but this government has deprived the right to elect their representatives to the local government bodies to the people in the rest of the country by bringing the local government bodies under special commissioners after their term of office expired on May 15 exposing the nakedness of democracy this government preaches about.