Deputy Ministers Harsha de Silva, Ranjan Ramanayake and Palitha Thewarapperuma has rejected the new luxury vehicles offered to them, as protests mounted against the government’s move to purchase 32 luxury vehicles at a cost of a staggering Rs. 1.1 billion.
Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment & Welfare, Ramanayake and Deputy Minister of Internal Cultural and Wayamba Development, Thewarapperuma have rejected the offer for new vehicles which was communicated to their relevant ministry secretaries.
In a letter dated April 8, 2016, Ramanayake’s Personal Secretary informed the Secretary to the Ministry of Social Empowerment & Welfare that, “the deputy minister has informed that the current vehicles available for his use is sufficient, and therefore he does not require any new vehicles.”
Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Cultural and Wayamba Development, on May 9, 2016, Thewarapperuma, said, “I hereby reject the Rs. 28 million worth Discovery 4 vehicle, which has been offered to me. I would instead advice that the monies set aside for this vehicle be used for the development of artists in the country.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva has also rejected the offer for a new luxury vehicle.
In a post on his Facebook page, Silva said, “As a Deputy Minister I am entitled for 3 vehicles (same as for a Minister). However I have only taken 2 vehicles (from Jan 2015 to date). Both these vehicles were used by the previous government (by a secretary and a coordinating secretary) and have been manufactured in 2011 and 2013. I continue to use my private vehicle. This is for the record,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Government sought parliamentary approval for Rs. 1.1 billion to purchase 32 brand new luxury vehicles for the use of several ministers, and deputy ministers.
Lion / June 10, 2016
JVP what is your stand
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Punchiburampi / June 10, 2016
We thought the way unp DEPUTY behaved he should be a rascal.
Nomeans he could be one similar to Rajaakshe supportive criminals. … they are very honest by their nature. By every means these 3 seem to want to go against if anything would be a burden to the nation. Dr. Silva is with distance the best among the young politicians, has brought all facts to the table even if Rjaakashe men are still on getting defended for some reasons.
Today, the front man of Joint Oppostion is reported to have left for japana, entire world will raise the question, why the current govt was unable to put him jail for all the crimes commited by him with or whitout his knowledge. howev er with his knowledge there were more than wihtout his knowledge looking at the last 10 years akibe,
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Sama / June 10, 2016
Yes, Palitha has shown not once several times sofar the manner he sacrificed for the rights of people.
However, Press men supprtive to Rajaapkshes mix his with their highly abusive charactors.
They dont differentiate it there. THat is the nature of them.
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Samuel Jayaweera / June 10, 2016
I 100% agree with President saying ” we all do only the good, but that seem to be not going to the folks”. That is only because Mafia men born supprtive to Rajaakshes or any corrupt authorities provably not allow facts to be spread to the average man.
That way, they stay stagnated, not knowing the difference between the good governance and bad goverannce.
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Dhammika Perera / June 10, 2016
True leaders. Love you gentlemen. Thanks to the humans like you, we believe true politicians are still exists in our motherland.
Dhammika
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Md / June 10, 2016
Or is it a sacrifice for better returns in de future?? Never know lankan polititians
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Sapumal / June 10, 2016
hats off for the trio. Hope to see more real patriots in the future.t might take sometimes. But this is going to be definite example for others.
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Sama / June 10, 2016
Sapumal, these young blood of UNP will be the future of this country. They have been doing their best actually. If there woudl be young men such this also in other parties, will have the same potential to turn the mind sets of vulnerable folks to good. Of course. all thse can occure if Media men would deliver their duties unlik it is the case for today, but the day – when lanken mafia journalism will be away from the ground. Today, the good being done by these new men are not in press. They work hard, I know Harsha and few others do their job not caring their perks. They should be commendable adequately, then only their energies can turn to help out the nation to the best.
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Rav / June 10, 2016
@Colombotelegraph, could you please compile a list of the type and price of the vehicle purchased by the each minister. Think this is needed for public record.
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moderate / June 10, 2016
The replies are interesting!
schizophrenics will always be schitzophrenics! Paranoid as ever! Some will always respond with a glimpse of paronoia: there is a trick somewhere? Please give credit to those 3 guys! If it was a trick there would have been more in the bunch!!! I think some of you will need a good dose of largactil!
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Justice & Fairplay / June 10, 2016
WELL DONE HARSHA! This is Leadership!
Hope you will continue to allow your conscience dictate your actions than blindly follow other politicians! With this move, you would have scored a huge plus towards your forward march. We already know you are reasonable and willing to listen to men of wisdom and conscience. Recently you proved that, listening to the professionals. So you must know that you are definitely a Leader for the future.
Well done Ranjan and Palitha. You could not have done better! You need to go against the grain if things are going wrong in the camp.
The Prime Minister should pat you three on your backs! You saved the government of much embarrassment!!!
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Gune / June 10, 2016
In my view this is a passive but good gesture from Harsha, Ranjan and Palitha. I believe they rejected the offer because they think they must set an example. Good! But as peoples representatives they must represent the peoples displeasure by taking this-up in parliament and being vociferous about it as that would have been the case by these three if MR did such a thing.
Ranil, must be feeling the pressure from the peole and might be wanting to back track
http://www.dailymirror.lk/110752/Don-t-import-vehicles-now-Ranil.
But the point is:
Floods or no floods, Kosgama or no Kosgama this extravagance should not be allowed by any circumstance. A developing country like ours does not require such luxury at the expense of the people.
Note to Harsha: Thanks for rejecting the car but on a separate matter please remove your billboard in Rajagiriya and save your dignity. What you put-up is just not you. You are a lot more classy than that. Don’t promote self but the country.
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Lanka Watch / June 10, 2016
What amount of guts these thick skinned politicos should have, to ask
for luxury cars while the country is reeling in financial difficulties
and the Govt. has just increased the taxes on many commodity items to get more revenue to cover the Govt. expenditure. Why the govt. has not offered Indian cars to these politicos as they need only a 4 wheeler to
carry them to Parliament and to attend few events, like what the Indian
authorities have done. Blood boils when people’s money is wasted in this way, while the Govt. puts it down to lack of funds to move forward
to develop the country. Doubt whether Ms.Angela Merkal , chancellor of German govt. uses a Mercedez Benz, made in her country, while 100 odd ministers of SL Govt. would not accept anything less than a Benz or BMW. World knows the state of our economy and financial status of the country and to whom our politicos want to show off, to the poor voter who voted him or her to power ?. They are not bothered as whichever govt. comes into power, they will some or other creep in.
Congrats and our appreciation goes to those 3 parliamentarians (only) who refused to accept luxury vehicles. It is the calibre, up bringing and education and love for the nation that matters. MS/RW should have
set an example like what the Indian Prime minister did for the rest to
follow.
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Chandra / June 10, 2016
Hilarious! ‘hatharahina’ in sinhala. Add Mervin to the trio.
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rio ziegelaar / June 10, 2016
I tip my hats off for these persons. They set a proper standard of “yahapalyana” or whatever they call it.
I wish others may take the same stand.
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Citizen / June 10, 2016
We salute Ranjan, Harsha and Thewwarperuma for their gesture. Your’ll have saved this Yahapalana government in a way. Peoples wrath is gathering due to poor handling of affairs by the present administration. At a time like this they should not bring an expenditure of over one billion rupees on luxury vehicles for the ministers, whilst telling the people the need to impose taxes are due to previous government faults.
People are not fools they are watching every step.
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Nesan / June 13, 2016
At least we have some sensible politicians. Thanks to you. Just to keep the form people posted. I work close to Mr Digaparam’s office. I have often seen him travelling in a Land Rover Discovery LR4 seated squatty potty position like a monkey. In my opinion that vehicle is good as new. Land Rover claim their vehicles are good for 20 years or more. I have also noticed Toyota Land Cruiser and a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado both new models and used by him. Still can’t understand why on earth he has requested for another vehicle to the value RS 35 million.
How many luxury vehicles does he need to server his people
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BBS Rep / June 14, 2016
So the question goes a begging, who are the people behind the people who are trying to foist luxury vehicles that the recipients themselves do not need or want.
Kickbacks. A lot of kickbacks. The systems that the MR Mafia left behind is still in action. Well done Harsha, Ranjan and in this instance Palitha, for taking a stand against corrupt practices.
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