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.
Ranjan, Palitha and Harsha
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.
Common Citizen / June 9, 2016
Well done. At least we have some politicians who have a conscience and are more concerned with the country than themselves!
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Amarasiri / June 9, 2016
Deputy Ministers Harsha de Silva, Ranjan Ramanayake and Palitha Thewarapperuma,
“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.”
Thank you.
Show leadership to the clowns who wants to waste public money belonging to the citizens, and then burden the citizens with mote taxes so that theu can use luxury vehicles.
Ask the ministers to use the current vehicles.
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Analyst / June 9, 2016
Is it a Trick or Deceive the Gullible general Public ??
Our Politicians are very very crafty and CUNNING WE SHOULD NOT BE DECEIVED BY THIS GESTURE TOO.
THEYRE ALL CRAFTY FOXES !! Beware??
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Analyst / June 9, 2016
ON SECOND THOUGHTS
They all can be Pathetic LIARS AS WELL.
CANNOT TRUST THEM EASILY.
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Amarasiri / June 9, 2016
Analyst
Could it be deception?
Why did they wait for so long, until public agitation and the floods?
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Analyst / June 9, 2016
Amarasiri
The answer to your question why they waited for so long??
Honest Answer for this could be as the Freedom of Speech in full swing… This piece of Democracy had opened the door for you and me to show our SATISFACTION AND DISSATISFACTION of the Present Rulers.
So their CONSCIENCE HAD SPOKEN. HOPE MY THEORY IS RIGHT.
I can remember how one of the Trios ( Ranjan Ramanayake) since the Rainbow Revolution … Tried to expose the Thieves and the Plunderers of the past government to face the Music. I mean to be tried and punished.
Then he went quiet . Reason unknown.
We need honest young Politicians to get this country out of the Rut.
RW and MS. Are talking the same language (. Ruling) as the Past Plunderers.
They seem to be ready to sell our poor country back to the Crooks.
Pathetic.
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Snowden Edward Asange / June 9, 2016
Weldone!!! I raise my hat for you 3 gentlemen… Ranil can take a leaf from the books of these 3 ministers..deputy or otherwise…without asking for new bullet proof cars…use the ones already there..
Interestingly all 3 are 1st timers to parliament n from UNP…Most times new parliamentarians jump on any perks available….respect the decision of you 3 and lead the greedy clowns to a differen5 ball game…They are so used to playing pandhu with the money of the masses….
Lets see how many from the old MR regime grab the vehicles..
Ironic that Rajitha is made to eat humble pie…he stated that ministers need 4×4 so that they can go to remote areas to fulfil the needs of the ministers constituents.. BULL CRAP…
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Ben Hurling / June 9, 2016
These 3 will now be cold shouldered by the corrupt clowns, who are in a whopping majority inside GOSL.
We must support these 3 when faced with that tyranny of the blood-sucking majority in their own ranks.
Cheers!
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Native Vedda / June 10, 2016
Ben Hurling
How about state operating a fleet of three wheeler vehicles for ministers, providing motor bikes for junior ministers and bureaucrats, bicycles for MP’s and bullock cart for police and armed forces?
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Ben Hurling / June 10, 2016
Native,
“bullock cart for police and armed forces”
Nope. Waste of funds.
I reccommend they keep themselves mobile by employing exactly the same methods your people use to go hunting in the forest.
Cheers!
PS:
Are there any forests left in the country though?
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Deshapremiya / June 9, 2016
Because they are cunning politicians waiting for their luxury amphibious vehicles knowing well that our country will be flooded in time to come if we do not stop the environmental damage. What’s the point of luxury cars when they go under?
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max / June 9, 2016
Well done! Salute! (by the way, that does not mean people endorse your bluff that come out time to time, specially you RR).
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Daham / June 9, 2016
Ranil has given cabinet posts to rogues like Vajira Abeywardene, Wijedasa Rajapaksa, and old SEX maniac John Amarathunga neglecting good people like Dr Harsha De Silva. We, the ordinary people, can have take solace in the fact that that at least there are three Deputies who are not greedy about material things. I blame the 19th amendment for letting the other sobs(UNP and SLFP) rob our country.
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gamunu / June 9, 2016
They will say no to new cars now to gain political mileage, but in a few months time when the whole issue has died down they will make their claims for luxury vehicles. By then people would have other things to worry.So the carnival goes on.
Same old brooms!
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Hamlet / June 9, 2016
Congratulations to these Three Politicians!
Do the Other Politicians, who are trying to get Free cars at the expense of The People Who have lost their Homes to the Floods, and the Armoury Explosion, have a Conscience?
Do they Profess to follow the Buddha’s Teaching of Metta, and Karuna?
They seem to be following The Antithesis; Lobha, Dosa, Moha; Greed, Hatred and Delusion!
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moderate / June 9, 2016
Well done. In my previous message I called upon Ranjan and Harsh not to be silent on this. True statesmanship!! Not to be a mere politician!
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Analyst / June 9, 2016
However Three cheers for Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Media.
Three cheers to CT too. In the past we had no voice or Media freedom.
ALL THE THIEVING WAS DONE SECRETLY DURING THE LAST REGIME UNDER THE ORDERS OF THE MODAMARA REGIME.
THREE CHEERS!!!
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roger / June 9, 2016
Well done. Can you just imagine chaps trying to buy Hammer. Yahapalana fellows are worse. MRs gan robbed the country little by little. These chaps will loot whole sale. MS and RW are i efficient jokers
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Analyst / June 9, 2016
Well done from me too
It’s happening in YAHAPALANAYA. !! HURRAY !! We should CHEER ourselves and APPLAUD SOME OF THE WEBSITES FOR EXPOSING THE GOINGS ON IN AND AROUND THE GOVERNMENT.
All because of Freedom of media , Freedom of Speech, which Came to effect following the TOPPLING OF THE MEGA THIEVES.
We are able to expose and we see the results . The three above have conscience not to waste STATE FUNDS, BRAVO ! For doing that.
The YAHAPALANAYA SHOULD NOT WASTE STATE FUNDS LIKE THIS ,DISHING OUT TAX FREE VEHICLES , LANDS OR BUILDINGS TO OFFICIALS AND POLITICIANS.
THERE ARE MILLIONS OF GREEDY POLITICIANS AND OFFICIALS ARE READY TO ACCEPT THIS KIND OF FREEBIES WITH NO CONSCIENCE.
The thieving and free taxation of vehicles imported OR OTHERWISE THE Public NEVER CAME TO HEAR ABOUT , EVERYTHING TO THE FRIENDS AND FAMILIES GIVEN AND DONE IN SECRECY , WHOLESALE THIEVING HAPPENED NOBODY HEARD ABOUT DURING THAT WRETCHED REGIME.
NO ONE BATTED AN EYELID. BECAUSE OF FEAR ! Fear for their lives and families , all were kept and done secretly.
ANY ONE QUESTIONED WERE EITHER WHITE VANNED, KILLED AND BURIED OR FED TO SHARKS OR EVEN THE BODY PARTS WERE SOLD IN THE OPEN MARKET FOR THE HIGHEST BIDDER.
THE THIEVING BUSINESS HAPPENED FOR THE LAST 12 years ,
Why oh Why no one questioned??
We are in the year of 68. Since the Independence, What have we gained???
THE THIEVES GOT MEGA RICH DAY AFTER DAY.
Now shouting and shouting.
Hope more greedy Politicians will become UNGREEDY / NOTGREEDY SO THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO RESPECT THEM MORE OR TRUST THEM MORE.
THRE CHEERS FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND FREEDOM OF MEDIA.
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SB / June 9, 2016
Well done! 3 out 225 members is not a bad start you can be sure that we will remember this when the time comes. Can we see who have wanted new vehicle ? when a large number of our people are without homes due to weather related issues we have some clowns who create disruptions like Salawa .
these parasites can’t wait till our displaced are settled? TO GET CARS! TO HELL WITH THE DISPLACED THESE ASSHOLES come first.
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Gamini S / June 9, 2016
What about all those who screamed about waste – like the JVP and UNP did prior to the election?
Put your moneys where your mouths are or go home!
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D.E.M. Ocracy / June 9, 2016
THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THE YAHAPALANA GOVERNMENT….. WE RESPECT YOU SIRS FOR YOUR DECISION.
I FERVENTLY HOPE THAT ALL THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE YAHAPALANA REGIME WOULD FOLLOW THIS EXAMPLE.
AFTERALL DID NOT THE 63 LAKHS OF SRI LANKANS VOTE FOR THE YAHAPALANA REGIME TO GET RID OF ALL THE USELESS WASTE OF THAT OF THE RAJAPAKSES.
WE3 ARE PROUD OF YOU HON. RANJAN, HON. HARSHA AND HON. PALITHA.
MAY GOD BLESS, PROTECT AND GUIDE ALL OF YOU.
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Diogenes / June 9, 2016
My congratulations! May you be blessed by the triple gem. This clearly shows that you are on the side of the people. We need more and more people like you.Of these three gentlemen ,this writer personally knows that Mr Thewarapperuma does not belong to the moneyed class of politicians.When thousands of flood victims in so many districts , including those of Aranayaka ,Mawanella etc areas and thousands of people who became paupers overnight due to the Saalaawa Armoury catastrophe caused by the sheer negligence and indifference of the goverment (mainly of the past government), are suffering from all kinds of hardships and hopelessnes, and when the economy of the country is so low and the citizens are burdened with tons and tons of `Loans`, others, the so called politicians who pretend to be great patriots – those selfcentred shameless parasites think they are in a privileged position to demand for more and more blood to suck.Do they think that the citizens of this country are idiots%? Protest..Protest..Protest!
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Native Vedda / June 9, 2016
Diogenes
“Do they think that the citizens of this country are idiots%? Protest..Protest..Protest!”
No. They are damn sure that the citizens of this country are idiots. The citizens prove it time and again in every election and in this forum.
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Ranjan / June 9, 2016
So now it’s clear.There are 3 MPs who have a conscience while 222 are there just to rob the poor country that has to beg other countries even to provide flood relief.These blood suckers.are slowly ruining the country.And who is is to blame?The bloody voter and no one else.The murderer and thief Sajin de Vass Gunewardene still openly travels in state owned luxury cars.Not only that , the bugger and his wife enjoy STF protection too.Whom to tell aney?
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Sniwden Edward Asange / June 9, 2016
MS n RW… WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THE PEOPLE WHO LOST FAMILIES N HOMES? It is the ordinary people who went out in boats b4 the forces started helping after 3 days…Ive seen an image where a muslim guy wearing a cap cleaning a house which belonged to A buddhist..it was shared on FB …and the guy who posted it was all praise n saud e learntHUMANITY from that guys selfless action…
Wimal went in posh attire n shoes without getting wet n shamelessly ate the food that was made for the flood victims..most politicos went to hand over stuff collected from ordinary people….Even todate some people are receiving handouts..gas cookers kitchen utencils, plastic ware n more …FROM THE ORDINARY PEOPLE…
MR GR BR NR AND OTHERS werent in sight during the calamities….
Now the GREEDY HOGS. called politicians want SUPER LUXURY CARS…shameless asses..do they EVER feel sorry fir people but EVER Ready to waste publuc funds…
Wake up MS n RW..
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ramona therese fernando / June 9, 2016
Well done of course, to these politicians! But I can’t understand why it took so long for this Buddhist truth of intemperance to be realized by the political set. Maybe preachings against temperance and ego only agitates these dormant concepts into being. Hope these people are not not gaining an alternate form of pride and ego over merely being good. Hope they will instead make this the benchmark of how Sri Lanka politicians should operate in the future (with no great fanfare about following normal honorable principles).
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NAK / June 9, 2016
Appreciate the commonsense gesture though I don’t particularly like the tro.
3 out of 32 is very unsatisfactory and the cost will still be over a billion.
What is most funny if not sad is that Derana Tv is begging around to collect
Rs.200 Mn to buy a scanner for the cancer hospital while the HM Rotten tooth(Dr.kunudatha) and his band of rotten ministers seem oblivious to that fact but obsessed with luxury cars.
What a ‘jahapalaya’we have!!
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thrishu / June 9, 2016
Well done you three deputies, and stick to your words please. No con tricks this time!
OK now take back or confiscate those 30-luxury vehicles that the previous conman had taken with him, and every other clown that sat in that P-hole. He is only a bloody MP, and furthermore no MPs, Ministers or Provincial Politikkas or government servants should be allowed to take their used official vehicles home on vacating their jobs. They are public property and not to be gifted willy nilly like Wessanthara giving away his kingdom.
This is supposed to be a democracy and not a feudal state. The tax payers have the first right of ownership of those vehicles. They have not given the President, PM or any other joker to exercise this sort excessive generosity when more than half the country is living in below poverty thresholds, and hospitals and schools are deprived of essential facilities. Come on Presidnet, for F… sake, get a grip on what is going on around you!
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ELDORADO / June 9, 2016
Great ! We trust this is a genuine move and not a hoax. Let’s see whether there are more to follow this example.
Why oh ! Why should this have been offered in the first place. And did you read the justifications by three clowns as to why they deserve luxury vehicles?
1) They have hundred of miles to travel to their constituencies, unlike MP’s in Singapore and the Maldivian MP’s who have only a few miles to travel. They also have to travel to so many functions and ceremonies around the Country and must do so in comfort.
2) They need to do these trips in luxury vehicles with high engine capacity as it is otherwise too tiring and very uncomfortable.
3) Politicians in other Countries draw 5 to 10 times the salary drawn by Sri Lankan Politicians.
What type of “buth Kana Gong” have we elected to represent us in Parliament ? Or do they take the Public to be bloody fools.
Oh God save us from these imbeciles !!
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Kettikaran / June 9, 2016
New MP’s Dr. Harsha de Silva, Eran Wickremaratne – in particular – feel the actual pulse of the voters, notably the politically-conscious voters of the Western Province. These car permits eventually go to the hands of luxury car dealers, who prey on these venal MPs. Surely, with average maintenance and care, these cars can easily be used for a minimum of 10 years. I believe the earlier rule was a car for every 5 years for MPs. Why these luxury cars at this time when the man in the street is worried about food, transport, health and education for him, family and children.
Harsha and Eran should lead the UNP in showing the country and people what good-governance in a poor country is.
How many are aware the former guerilla leader President Jose Mujica of Uruguay chose to live in his old farm house and uses an 1987 Volkswagen to show his poor country austerity is nothing to be shamed about. Milinda Moragoda set a good example when he chose to use as his Ministry car an Indian Ambassador vehicle.
President Sirisena and PM Ranil should lead the way to show the rogues in Yahaapalanaya what their priorities should be. They should be taught what simple living is. The people are watching your moves closely.
Kettikaran
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anura Gajanayake / June 9, 2016
I hat off for you 3 gentlemen.
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banana republic / June 9, 2016
Sorry to say I did not read any comments.
But I expected Eran and the PM to be the people who rejected so much of waste of public funds when we are crippled by a flood and Salawa disaster.
Government introduced VAT at high rates affecting all people, but was it to spend on Super Luxury Vehicles for the crooks of previous regime and beggars backing the Paksas and looting the country.
Its better that these guys fighting for the survivsl of our collehge antem.
nation
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kumaran / June 9, 2016
I was hoping that at least one will reject and now we see that three have. Well done.
“Because of the transgressions of a land, many are its princes (Ministers)
But by a man of understanding and knowledge, right will be prolonged” Prov.28:2.
Thank God for three GOOD men. Without them, Yahapalanaya will go the same way as the previous lot.
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Upul / June 9, 2016
These are the types of parliamentarians that we need to build the country. Most of the politicians who come promising to help people, are only helping themselves. I am glad to see that Sri Lanka still has some quality politicians. Thank you GENTLEMAN, and other greedy pigs should learn from them.
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sr / June 9, 2016
Good decision by these 3 deputy ministers
People want others to follow them unless the good example is in vain.
3 deputies, your effort is a success only if you convince others to follow you.
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Shrikharan / June 9, 2016
Going by history politics and past experience, I hope I am wrong, I will only accept their ‘refusal for permits for luxury vehicles’ with a pinch of salt. Again I hope I am wrong, going by the experience we have of our politicians these three are simply playing politics to the gallery. When the heat dies down, slowly and silently they too would claim their right to purchase luxury vehicles. All they gained valuable political mileage for keeping silent for few days!
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shankar / June 9, 2016
only 3 out of 32 are in touch with the people.If you can’t feel the pulse of the people we know what will happen at the ballot box.
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bo / June 10, 2016
The buggers don’t care as long as they could take their duty vehicles home as personal property when they got ejected by people. Win-win situation for the rogue representatives of foolish voters; no matter what color they are, they are all the same, same material ……. ROGUES that steal from the public coffers.
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Jayasingha Perera / June 9, 2016
There is no point in only these three deputy ministers opting not to take the vehicles as it wont satisfy the protesting public who are undergoing severe hardships. The president and the PM must stop this wanton waste of public money spent just to satisfy the ministers who have joined to prop up the govt. There is no visible benefit from these ministers with these vehicles for the people.
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Br own Boy / June 9, 2016
So on the subject of the so called absolute need for the luxury vehicles. That POS Rajitha claimed yesterday that it was impossible for them to visit certain electorates without a four wheel drive vehicle. He also say there with a smug look and and contemp went on to make comparisons to India and Singapore as well as comparing us to the developed world. According to him politicians in developed countries do not require these luxury vehicles because other officials carry out the work for them. So what are you saying mate ? That the officials we have currently employed in the respective ministries and public offices are not doing their bloody jobs ? Fire the whole frigging lot of them if so. The country and its citizens are bleeding money by you fools employing incompetent retards on one side while you drain more money by budgeting colloidal amount for luxury vehicles “needed” by you. This is a f*^%#g crime. A no confidence motion should be brought against all 225 of you buffoons by public mandate. As a citizen you’re answerable to me bitch. Don’t sit up there in front of the media looking so smug. And shame on those media personal for not taking these parayas more to task. Don’t be soft guys. Make them squirm. Don’t back down.
Don’t be an idiot and compare us to countries who’s economies and annual budgets dwarf ours. You don’t see India and Singapore globe trotting with an effing begging bowl while their cabinet members roll in luxury.
Point : according to the Premadasa jr. He visits Yala regularly because he is a wild life lover and for photography. So I’m paying for your luxury jeep rides and expensive hobbies. Is that why you need a 4×4 so you can go take pictures ?
Point : witnessed today in Kohuwala along Dutthugemunu street a la car shoppers paradise. Mercedes S400 rolls up with 2 back up vehicles as well a police motor cycle escort. No bloody minister or deputy but rather his fat ass wife disembarks in front of Kids Toy shop. So this bitch rolls around in Benz paid by me while my poor mom has to ride the bus. What a effing joke. You fuckers should be all lined up against a wall and face a firing squad. Time to wake the fuck up. We can’t afford you bunch. I don’t care if it’s Yahapalanaya or Rajapaksapalanaya you are nothing but a bunch of bloody and life sucking leeches who will never succeed in the betterment of this country. I pray for a quick and painful judgement day for you all.
f*^k you, just had to say it one last time.
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KA Sumanasekera / June 10, 2016
Will the disgruntled Yahapaana suckers rally behind Thevere and Ranjan to form a new UNP Faction…
Dr Harsha is the avowed Sinhala Buddhist from the South …Right. So he is expected to practice Moderation according to the five precepts of Buddhism.
Because all the hand picked heir apparents of the UNP Elite Anglican Faction lead by Btalanda Ranil are making at least 30 million just on the car permit.
Plus a share of the 6 Billion which Batalanda’ Finance Minister has allocated for them to enjoy while sitting in the CA for the next 4 years.
Mind you these are additional to the real wages , travel allowances , Govt vehicles, rent, and subsidised loans and santhosams.
Have this new Leadership Trio denounced the other perks too?..
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thrishu / June 10, 2016
KAS on this occasion you are quite rightly entitled to have a go at B/R as you call him, pointing the finger at him as well as at the excesses that he and his ministers are indulging in.
Alas, B/R is following this self-destructive path and precedence set by the previous President and your pay master, offering or donating MPs, Ministers and provincial p-tikkos, luxury vehicles for duty, family, holidays and for the extended family “for the use of”, plus taxpayer-paid maintenance charges, fuel allowances, personal allowances on top of an exorbitant salary etc etc. Therefore anything that you say for B/R, equally applies to your boss, and it is time the State strips him of all ill gotten assets that he has taken with him as personal property. Releasing 30-vehicles from him and reallocating them to the so called needy ministers would give us near zero budgetry requirement to fast shod these ministers.
I do hope that we would have your full approval, if and when the President decides that there should be austerity measures, to be observed by every political figurehead equally, and applicable even retrospectively to all ill gotten public assets by current, past and future politicians and public servants.
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Sanchay / June 14, 2016
Sumana, have you forgotten, that your master MRs astrologer was in posession of an official car from presidents office? for what then? He and your master were also singhala buddhist from the south you idiotic racist!
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Jayampathy Ranaweera / June 10, 2016
If this is their TRUE WORDS,then I WISH THEM LONG LIFE,GOOD HEALTH & PROSPERITY!!!
IF NOT,THE “DHITTA DHAMMA VEDANEEYA KARMAYA MAY BEFALL ONTHEM”!!!
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