I am against corruption - President
President Maithripala Sirisena addressing a United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) rally in Kandy yesterday. Pictures by Sudath Silva
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the rally in Millaniya yesterday. Picture by Hirantha Gunathilaka
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
President Maithripala Sirisena requested Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to support him to bring culprits of the bond issue to book.
He was addressing a United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) rally in Kandy on Tuesday.
The President said those members of the G L Peiris’ party were saying that the scam has happened from 2015 to 2016, but he knew what those members did then and asked the Premier and his party members not to weaken him in the move to take measures against those who had misappropriated public money.
President Sirisena said the G L Peiris’ party members should not forget that the Supreme Court judges had clearly stated in the report that the fraud had been committed since 2008. He said that a forensic and audit reports had been called for this reason. He said what is needed at the moment was to punish all those involved in the racket.
The President said it was fair to follow lions rather than leading a pack of dogs. He said all who defrauded public money should be penalised.
“That money should have been used to facilitate the poor. Although Mahinda Rajapaksa had requested people to join him as the government and opposition has proved a failure, he himself had failed at three occasions,” the President said.
He said Mahinda Rajapaksa held the Presidential Election two years earlier since he failed to run the economy. “He lost the election and the August election as well,” President Sirisena said.
“The people supported me against the corruption and I won on January 8,” the President said.
President Sirisena said Mahinda Rajapaksa did not vote for the no faith motion against Ravi Karunanayake brought by the Joint Opposition, but he congratulated Ravi when he won it.
He was addressing a United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) rally in Kandy on Tuesday.
The President said those members of the G L Peiris’ party were saying that the scam has happened from 2015 to 2016, but he knew what those members did then and asked the Premier and his party members not to weaken him in the move to take measures against those who had misappropriated public money.
President Sirisena said the G L Peiris’ party members should not forget that the Supreme Court judges had clearly stated in the report that the fraud had been committed since 2008. He said that a forensic and audit reports had been called for this reason. He said what is needed at the moment was to punish all those involved in the racket.
The President said it was fair to follow lions rather than leading a pack of dogs. He said all who defrauded public money should be penalised.
“That money should have been used to facilitate the poor. Although Mahinda Rajapaksa had requested people to join him as the government and opposition has proved a failure, he himself had failed at three occasions,” the President said.
He said Mahinda Rajapaksa held the Presidential Election two years earlier since he failed to run the economy. “He lost the election and the August election as well,” President Sirisena said.
“The people supported me against the corruption and I won on January 8,” the President said.
President Sirisena said Mahinda Rajapaksa did not vote for the no faith motion against Ravi Karunanayake brought by the Joint Opposition, but he congratulated Ravi when he won it.
Wednesday, January 24, 2018Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday said the loans obtained by the previous government was higher than what former governments had taken for the last 60 years.
He was addressing a political rally in support of the candidates contesting LG polls for the Millaniya and Bandaragama Pradeshiya Sabhas in Millaniya.
The Prime Minister said the previous government left a huge debt burden on the present government.
He said the UNP was the only political party that could develop villages.
The Prime Minister said a solution would be brought to the Mattala Airport issue this year, and a new entry point to the Southern Express way would be constructed in Millaniya.
He said the government has taken many steps to fast track development. “The industrial zones being constructed in many parts of the country will help improve economy,” he said
Power and Energy Deputy Minister Ajith P Perera, Ministers Gayantha Karunathilake, Daya Gamage, State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe, Parliamentarians S.M. Marikkar, Nalin Bandara, Hirunika Premachandra Horana SLFP Organiser Hemantha Wickramarachchi, Western Provincial Councillor Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe and Aruna Deepal were present.
