Remove Vajira from Cabinet
2016-05-27
The Yahapalana government of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe came under severe criticism for its delay in taking action against the alleged corrupt individuals in the previous regime. The recent move to appoint Anusha Pelpita, former chairman of Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) who is facing a legal battle against fraudulent deals, as an additional Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs, has now come under scathing attack by the civil society movements which played a major role in electing the government into power.
? You were part of the civil society movement that helped elect the government into power. When you look back the past several months do you really think the government has progressed?
A: The government has good and bad sides. People chose a new President and a government on 8 January and 17 August with a lot of aspirations. We also stood by President Maithripala Sirisena with the expectation that he would take steps to change the executive presidency.
A: The government has good and bad sides. People chose a new President and a government on 8 January and 17 August with a lot of aspirations. We also stood by President Maithripala Sirisena with the expectation that he would take steps to change the executive presidency.
Furthermore, we remained with President Sirisena for certain reasons. First, certain legislative measures were obliterated by the previous government, and the country was economically pulverized. There were also issues on law and order.
"We requested President Sirisena to make amendments to ensure that government will engage in safe politics.
We asked for electoral reform and the economy is in shambles due to corruption and theft. Administration ought to publish the names of the persons and bring them before the law.
In addition, there were killings committed by a few government officials during the previous government and names of certain legislators have been linked in the killings.
The government pledged to finish the tasks and the 19th Amendment was passed.
When the 19th Amendment was debated in Parliament we saw how the Opposition responded.
We recommended electoral reforms and a draft was made. However, we could not get the endorsement from all the sectors.
Police have completed investigations on some murders but there is a delay at the Attorney General's Department.
?Do you believe the present government did not keep its word to change society?
A: If the general public thinks the current government has lived up to its expectations it is wrong because it has not done so. Our suggestions are clear, therefore, the government should act on them.
But there are reasons why they cannot live up to the people's expectations. Firstly, the country got used to a corrupt political environment for the past ten years and they did not respect democracy. The Mahinda Rajapaksa regime destroyed several political parties as well.
We do not think that culture will change just because a new government has been appointed. If the people pressurize the government there is a possibility to change that culture.
People are used to vote candidates who are corrupt because they treat them well. That is why a Ratnapura District politician who was in remand prison got more votes than others.
Parliament consists of 225 members. Out of them only 25 per cent is newly elected parliamentarians.
Since there are senior representatives in Parliament, old habits are still there. That is why parliamentarians have regular fights.
To change this environment, the law should be more effective and the government should conduct an effective programme in the country to deal with the situations.
A: If the general public thinks the current government has lived up to its expectations it is wrong because it has not done so. Our suggestions are clear, therefore, the government should act on them.
But there are reasons why they cannot live up to the people's expectations. Firstly, the country got used to a corrupt political environment for the past ten years and they did not respect democracy. The Mahinda Rajapaksa regime destroyed several political parties as well.
We do not think that culture will change just because a new government has been appointed. If the people pressurize the government there is a possibility to change that culture.
People are used to vote candidates who are corrupt because they treat them well. That is why a Ratnapura District politician who was in remand prison got more votes than others.
Parliament consists of 225 members. Out of them only 25 per cent is newly elected parliamentarians.
Since there are senior representatives in Parliament, old habits are still there. That is why parliamentarians have regular fights.
To change this environment, the law should be more effective and the government should conduct an effective programme in the country to deal with the situations.
?Why did the Civil Society Movement complained that government officials are enjoying their perks but not working for the country?
A: There are responsibilities for officials as well as ministers, deputy ministers and State Ministers. If they are holding a post in the government and if they look into the responsibilities and work accordingly then only the country can move towards success. However, some politicians are more into earning for themselves using their position in the government.
The problem is this is a national government in which UNP and SLFP have to work together. But both parties have different terms and conditions. Therefore, when decisions are taking there is a delay.
There are certain individuals who are trying to get posts in the government who were involved in corruption in the previous regime. But there are several individuals who are already holding posts in the government.
A: There are responsibilities for officials as well as ministers, deputy ministers and State Ministers. If they are holding a post in the government and if they look into the responsibilities and work accordingly then only the country can move towards success. However, some politicians are more into earning for themselves using their position in the government.
The problem is this is a national government in which UNP and SLFP have to work together. But both parties have different terms and conditions. Therefore, when decisions are taking there is a delay.
There are certain individuals who are trying to get posts in the government who were involved in corruption in the previous regime. But there are several individuals who are already holding posts in the government.
? The Civil Society Movement also promised to reveal names of officials who are thriving on public funds but not working according to their responsibilities. Can you tell us who they are?
A: When we consider government officials, we do not accept the appointment of the Governor of the Central Province because we do not believe she does not have the qualifications to be appointment to such a post. We do not approve of the appointment of Anusha Palpita as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs under Vajira Abeywardena.
The appointment of Palpita was done by Minister Abeywardena. He took the decision while having so many allegations against him.
Furthermore, Palpita has allegations against him for purchasing Rs 600 million worth of Sil clothes during the election period.
Therefore, Palpita should not be given any responsible post. He should be interdicted by the Presidential Secretary because the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission is under him.
The Presidential Secretary and Minister Abeywardena have done something wrong by appointing him to a post in his ministry.
Also the Civil Society Movement thinks Vajira Abeywardena is not suitable as the Minister of Home Affairs and he should be removed. When Thilak Marapana gave some wrong information we spoke against him and he resigned.
A: When we consider government officials, we do not accept the appointment of the Governor of the Central Province because we do not believe she does not have the qualifications to be appointment to such a post. We do not approve of the appointment of Anusha Palpita as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs under Vajira Abeywardena.
The appointment of Palpita was done by Minister Abeywardena. He took the decision while having so many allegations against him.
Furthermore, Palpita has allegations against him for purchasing Rs 600 million worth of Sil clothes during the election period.
Therefore, Palpita should not be given any responsible post. He should be interdicted by the Presidential Secretary because the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission is under him.
The Presidential Secretary and Minister Abeywardena have done something wrong by appointing him to a post in his ministry.
Also the Civil Society Movement thinks Vajira Abeywardena is not suitable as the Minister of Home Affairs and he should be removed. When Thilak Marapana gave some wrong information we spoke against him and he resigned.
? Due to pressure from society Rajitha Senaratna, Arjuna Ranatunga, Champika Ranawaka and Sarath Fonseka submitted a joint Cabinet paper to President Sirisena to discuss investigations against the corrupt elements. What is the view of the civil society?
A: We did not pressurize them to bring a Cabinet paper. It is their view on the government and that is why they decided to submit a Cabinet paper to President Sirisena. We appreciate their efforts and we want progress in investigations against corrupt elements.
A: We did not pressurize them to bring a Cabinet paper. It is their view on the government and that is why they decided to submit a Cabinet paper to President Sirisena. We appreciate their efforts and we want progress in investigations against corrupt elements.
? Does the government respect the views of the Civil Society?
A: When we wanted to remove Thilak Marapana from the government they listened and even when there were certain issues at the AG's department, the government listened to us.
Therefore, if we are against certain things the government should listen to us as well because we also helped them to defeat former President Rajapaksa.
A: When we wanted to remove Thilak Marapana from the government they listened and even when there were certain issues at the AG's department, the government listened to us.
Therefore, if we are against certain things the government should listen to us as well because we also helped them to defeat former President Rajapaksa.
