The government should take effective steps to avoid waste and extravagance and also to eradicate corruption, says the Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan.
Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan
“I do not think that it is within the power of your 90-member Cabinet to achieve this. I think, a few persons of the highest integrity, with specialized knowledge and experience should be specially empowered to examine and analyze in detail all aspects of Government expenditure and come up with plans and proposals to reduce and remove waste and extravagance. Their recommendations should be implemented. It appears to me that whatever arrangements you have now are inadequate.” Sampanthan said yesterday.
The Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan participating in the budget debate said; “Corruption needs to be eliminated with a firm hand. Given the fact that corruption is deeply entrenched in governance in this country, we perhaps need special laws to deal with this menace – special offences even beyond what is now available, new provisions of law relating to detection, investigation, trial and sentence pertaining to corruption which will convey the message to the whole country that the Government will not tolerate corruption in any form, and that those who are corrupt will be very sternly dealt with. There is, in my view, a need for a new initiative and a new message from the Government. I ask you in the name of the people of this country, can you permit what happened at SriLankan Airlines to be repeated?”
“Given the massive development plans that the Hon. Prime Minister outlined in his Statement on Economic Policy some days before the Budget and what has been outlined in the Budget, what action would you take to prevent repetition? If waste, extravagance and corruption are eradicated, I would think that at least one-third of this country’s economic woes would come to an end with more money being available for development for the benefit of the people. We are a country deeply in debt. A substantial part of our income is used for debt service. Our debt service ratio is high – both domestic and foreign debt. If we tolerate waste, extravagance and corruption, how are we going to reduce and eventually get rid of our debt? I would submit that stringent action needs to be taken to achieve this.” he said.
Read the full speech here
Amarasiri / November 29, 2015
Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan
RE: 90-Member Cabinet Cannot Eradicate Corruption: Sampanthan
“I do not think that it is within the power of your 90-member Cabinet to achieve this. I think, a few persons of the highest integrity, with specialized knowledge and experience should be specially empowered to examine and analyze in detail all aspects of Government expenditure and come up with plans and proposals to reduce and remove waste and extravagance. Their recommendations should be implemented. It appears to me that whatever arrangements you have now are inadequate.” Sampan than said yesterday.”
Yes, Sir.
Duplicating Idiots , 90 or more will not solve the Problem.
Get a handful of non-idiots, non-corrupt, and the terrible problem of corruption and waste can be solved.
Ask the Russian President Putin for help.
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oma yang / November 29, 2015
@ Amarasiri, Whilst i enjoy your comments, my only gripe is why do you always have to quote an entire section before posting your comments. Please consider this as constructive because we have to read the entire section before seeing your comments.
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Amarasiri / November 29, 2015
oma yang
“why do you always have to quote an entire section before posting your comments.”
If yo have a Mobile phone, the original article is too long, and the essence gets lost.The Quote, is basically the essence of the article and need focus.
This is very efficient for those who want to quickly browse through the article.
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Thiru / November 29, 2015
Honorable opposition leader, Mr Sampanthan,
Nepotism is part and parcel of corruption: Several writers have pointed out in the past in the CT that the president Sirisena indulges in nepotism, and so does the prime minister Ranil Wickramasinghe.
With these leaders at the helm taking part in alleged nepotism, do you seriously think that they will pass any serious anti-corruption laws or judicial procedures. I doubt it.
It boils down to the age old question of:
Who will bell the cat?
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Rohan Polwatte / November 30, 2015
Amarasiri
Its hard to find a non idiot non corrupt Sri Lankan. That is the problem .Look at the present regime how it is practing Nepotism. All crooks are given positions. corrupt are still loose. Yeah they bring them to CID ask questions some are jailed ending up in luxurious hospitals and then released on bail. Will see. I know it’s hard to change a corrupt society over night. from beggar to the top millioner every mother f ing sri lankan is corrupt.
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shankar / November 29, 2015
well said.Truly a great opposition leader.Many must be smacking their lips thinking of the future development projects.
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Jim softy / November 29, 2015
Because Mahinda Rajapakse and Ranil wickramsinghe are in the same boat.
They let their cabinets steal from the public.
How much is this underground economy and how much of GDP is wasted because of this ?
I don’t Maithripala is that different. HE is addicted to appointing Election losers as ministers.
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Barathan / November 29, 2015
The words from the Leader of the Opposition are candid, reproachful and stern. The President and the Prime Minister have to pay heed and act on.
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Shrikharan / November 29, 2015
““I do not think that it is within the power of your 90-member Cabinet to achieve this.”
But the 90 member cabinet is for different purpose. My3 appointed them only to buy their silence as most of them are Rajapakse cronies, and My3 had promised to the people during his election campaign never to give another chance to them. Now see how SB Dissanayake, Nimal Siripala are talking praising My3. They criticized him before.
The 90 member cabinet is not there to solve any problems but only to be silent and not to criticize the Government as long as the Government is in power. So in the end these same people amazed lot of wealth under Rajapakse and now doing the same with My3 and we the people are the fools in the end.
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len / November 29, 2015
Hmm! thought cabinet is going stop at 30 can’t these clowns count are they numeracy challenged.
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anonymous / November 29, 2015
Well said. This why I thought UNP+TNA+JVP would be a better solution. You can get rid of the corrupt UNPer’s and Party Hoppers if you wish. Good luck Sam, have chat with Ranil, Anura and SF.
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jansee / November 29, 2015
Gosh!!! A 90-member cabinet. Are they selling cabinet posts for the highest bidder?
One of the major grouses with the former regime was this jumbo-sized cabinet but the present govt has seen it fit to dance to the same tune, all for the similar reasons perpetuated by the previous regime.
God bless this country, or will He? To beat the miscreants into shape, you need a backbone and guts. Does My3 look like he has those attributes. Would it be wrong to say that more than half of the cabinet goons rightful abode are solitary prison chambers. The govt appears to be clueless and still groping in the dark, or more aptly “fiddling while Rome burns”
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MrRetort / November 29, 2015
The only technique MS UNDERSTANDS is what he leant from MR and BR for getting the support from MP’s. This also the art learnt by our MP’s to make their purse fat. They also leant to bring in patriotic and nationalist card to arose the feelings of mass to fool majority low IQ masses to enter the parliament to get a better harvest by disappointing the electors and masses. This bluffing game from top to bottom is done in style. Ranil would try to discipline MP’s and bring in some principle for governing structure. This would anotagonize the Ministers, MP,s and even the top executive of the government and eventually lose elections. COUNTRY IS BEYOND SALVAGE BY ANYBODY.
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BBS Rep / November 30, 2015
‘ COUNTRY IS BEYOND SALVAGE BY ANYBODY. ‘. I agree. This is a ‘thrice cursed’ not blessed country indeed.
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Douglas / November 30, 2015
Mr. Sampanthan: You have performed well and truly as the National Leader of the Opposition at the debate on the Budget 2016. This is what we need and expected of you. You have spoken of matters that are relevant to the entire population and the references made as regards the North and East are also very important to us as a Nation of a single country named Sri Lanka. You are very correct in requesting the Government to eradicate the corruption, nepotism that have plagued this country for a long long time; but very visibly came to being after 2009. Everybody must understand that larger the Cabinet the greater the opportunities for corruption, cronyism and nepotism. That fact has been proved to us the way the previous Government carried on the administration from 2010 to 2014 and yet attempts are being made as of today. This must STOP totally and your role as the National Opposition Leader is very vital to its achievement. Also please do not allow some disgruntled Parliamentarians to form into “Joint Opposition” and undermine the work of the National Opposition. Already they have made inroads and very surreptitiously embarked on a subtle way of gaining “Recognition” to such a group that would certainly undermine the Official Opposition. Please do not allow this to happen. Stand FIRM against such moves and make yourself the duly recognized National Leader of the Official Opposition.
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BBS Rep / November 30, 2015
Sampanthan Ayyah,
What is the point of asking the Parliament to fight corruption. Corruption is the name of the game of the parliamentarians.
The famous adage adduced to Jesus ‘let those without sin cast the first stone’ comes to mind.
Seriously Mr Sampanthan, please ask the President to explain the reasons behind appointing well known rogues and criminals to high government positions. And at the same time can you please come up with a new idea to eradicate corruption. My3 must be the first person to be rid of. Can a no confidence motion be brought up against Boru Sira? I wonder.
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Vibhushana / November 30, 2015
Well, thats well known. Although why does the gov’t need a large cabinet?
Its because the electoral system never gives an outright majority to a single party.
So in order to form a govt the party in power always need to form a rainbow coalition sometimes with unsuitable parties.
The underlying issue is reforming the electoral system. The 20 amendment proposes change to the status-quo.
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Uthungan / December 1, 2015
“It is because the system never gives an outright majority to a single party”.
Take a look at past history to know how the situation became worse in the country whenever a single party obtained an outright majority.
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Jim softy / December 1, 2015
They need a hugh cabinet, because the leaders are not leaders.
People surrender to strong men.
Dumb men can not do that because they are weak.
Only Problem was JRJ and Mr were corrupt and EVIL leaders.
I think, An Army Chief has to become a President.
Even gota can do that.
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Mallaiyuran / November 30, 2015
“I do not think that it is within the power of your 90-member Cabinet to achieve this. I think, a few persons of the highest integrity, with specialized knowledge and experience should be specially empowered to examine and analyze in detail all aspects of Government expenditure and come up with plans and proposals to reduce and remove waste and extravagance.”
What do you mean Mr.Sampanthan? Which cat is good to guard the milk Mr.Sampanthar? New King, Ranil Mahata, Ravi, Wijeyadasa, Rashid, Hakeem, Champika…. Enough? If you want little more powerful you can add Ayatullah Mahanayakes. Beyond that only Buddha can save the Lankawe.
When you visit heaven, you will see there the widows and their poor children those have gone before you because of hunger, still begging for life and trying to put a vote in your valet box believing you may want to help them.
We give up on you Mr.Sampanthar. You are enjoying too much of your job. No hope of fixing you.
Cheers.
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justice / November 30, 2015
Canada, second largest country, has a cabinet of only 30 of which, half are women, all selected for education and achievements.
Many are of immigrant origin.
[Edited out]
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K.A Sumanasekera / December 1, 2015
Wonder who Mr Sambanadn has in mind?.
Don’t we already have Singapore Mahendran,Sira’s bro Kumara,Galleon and BIL , Tubby’s dear brother Dhammika,.and not forgetting Rajitha and his loving son who keeps an eye on UNP Harin.
Didn’t Mr Sambnadan, help to put this together, with the help of BTF Suren and UNP London, in his own words, a few days ago?..
Where did Sambandan get this massive development plan?.
Harbour City stopped, Kandy Expressway stopped.Packer Casino stopped.Kandy Yarlpanam Expressway stopped. 1000 Mahavidyalams, including one in Nanthikadal stopped.
Wonder whether sowing Bombay Onion seeds in our Paddy Fields is this kick ass Development plan of Batalanda Ranil & his Offside Galleon Accountant.
Or is Mr Sambanadan referring to the Development plans which he has in mind for the North using the Diaspora dosh,, once Batalanda gives him the Homeland after Sira withdraws the Army Bases?..
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Wera / December 1, 2015
Oh dear! Where to begin. First of all I think Sri Lankans have to learn to trust educated and decent politicians rather than game minissu. BY insisting that the game miniha is the good man we got Premadasa (ran a dictatorial regime was implicated in the slaughter of JVP youths and supplying arms to the LTTE). We then have Rajapakshe ( credited for anahilating the LTTE but an out and out crook in every other way. Some say he did not win the war and that credit goes to SF and GR. But GR is also a megalomaniac and a murderer) Now we have Aiyyo Sira. Does not look good for him either going by the latest antics. But RW they say cannot win elections. He is educated, not prone to corruption, knows how to run the show apart from a few idiots who go on about a some bataya up their you know whats he is the better politician. But oh know he is elitist yada yada yada. So we have what we have. We created it by our own stupidity. Because of the way we treat educated politicians no educated person wants to be a politician and so people like RW are slowly going extinct in Sri Lankan politics while the game thuga types have taken over the show. Look at CBKs children do you think they would ever consider entering politics in S.L.? They are well brought up and very well educated kids of a very political family who would not touch politics with broom stick. Numbers of ministers required to eradicate corruption is an oximoron.
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justice / December 1, 2015
An adequate educational standard, full assets declaration, and no convictions in courts of law, should be mandatory for any elective office.
The election must be the old ‘first past the post’ system.
No preferential votes.
Election expenses declared and strictly controlled.
No National Lists – anyone unable/reluctant to face voters, does not need/qualify for elective office.
A fully empowered Election Commission like in India.
All this will ensure suitable men and women only, in the legislature.
Corruption/nepotism will hopefully be minimised/eliminated.
This happens in many other democratic countries – eg. Canada, USA.
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abay / December 7, 2015
How can the govt.eradicate corruption when they offered post of ministers to the cabinet.While you are not in a position to criticize as a Leader of the opposition .
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