By Mangala Samaraweera –
Mangala Samaraweera – Former Finance Minister
Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa is the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. He also holds the vital portfolio of Finance, Economic and Policy Development. He was President of Sri Lanka for two terms and held many ministries during that time. And he has been a Member of Parliament since 1970.
Therefore, he has no excuse whatsoever for the grossly irresponsible and misleading statement he made yesterday. It is a base political statement, dressed up to conceal its mendacity, using the official letterhead of the Prime Minister.
In the interests of brevity, I will not respond to the entire statement. However, the claims made in relation to Parliament’s role in our Republic and its public finance function have a direct bearing on the health crisis, economic crisis, debt-crisis and looming constitutional crisis facing our nation today.
Canard – I
“It is without getting a budget approved in Parliament that we have allocated this amount of money and given relief to the General Public.”
Any money allocated by the Government is the public’s money. It is raised by taxes and by debt – which must be paid by future taxes. It is not the largesse of any person, office or family.
The current allocation of money is determined by the Vote-on-Account passed by a Resolution of Parliament on 23 October 2019. That Resolution determines the scheme of expenditure and borrowing for the period 1 January 2020 to 30 April 2020. Therefore, any money the Government must have been approved by Parliament.
The Prime Minister’s claim that money is being spent without Parliamentary approval is a very serious violation of the Constitutional provisions on public finance. These provisions clearly state that Parliament has the power of the purse; including complete and undiluted control over government revenue, expenditure and debt.
Canard – II
“The President did not have the opportunity to get the assistance of Parliament to do any of these things. Parliament did not support us when we tried to get an interim budget approved before Parliament dissolved.”
As stated above, all the expenditure currently being spent by the Government is under the Vote-on-Account passed on 23 October. Any expenditure outside that would be a violation of the constitution. Therefore, Parliament has adequately discharged its duty of providing the Executive with necessary funds for the governance of the Republic.
As further expenditure and borrowing is necessary in light of the Coronavirus, my colleagues across the political spectrum have made abundantly clear that they will support the allocation of additional funds and an increase in the debt ceiling.
As to the claim that “Parliament did not support us when we tried to get an interim budget approved before Parliament dissolved”, that is a lie. The Government moved an unprecedented resolution in Parliament. It attempted, for the first time in history, to move a motion to amend a Vote-on-Account. Despite this highly irregular procedure, political parties sitting on the Opposition benches agreed to support the Government’s social welfare schemes. We did not object to increases in expenditure on health, education and other schemes.
However, we did object to raising the debt-ceiling. As a result of the debt-fuelled growth of the 2009 to 2015 era and the utterly irresponsible tax cuts this year, Sri Lanka was in a debt-trap. If we failed to pay our debt, then we would default. This would lead us down the path of Argentina or Greece. In order to prevent this fate, we insisted on maintaining the responsible borrowing limit that had been put in place. Between 2017 and November 2020, Sri Lanka recorded its first proper primary surplus – meaning the government’s books were balanced – in 63 years. That record was repeated in 2018 and up until November 2019. This was maintained despite the Rajapaksa’s constitutional coup and the Easter Bombings.
Canard – III
“The public who have the sovereignty ask us as to what use there is re-summoning Parliament in such a situation.”
Mr. Prime Minister, the public are concerned about their health. They are concerned about whether their food stocks will last. They are concerned about paying for their next basket of provisions. They are concerned about whether they will lose their jobs. They are concerned about the strength of the rupee. They are concerned about the health of the economy.
They are also concerned that the rule-of-law is maintained and proper checks-and-balances are put in place. We have seen the corruption and abuse of power that arises when there is no accountability. Parliament is one of the three key pillars that constitutes the checks-and-balances that protect our government from abuse and keep our democracy – the oldest in Asia – alive and flourishing. Sri Lanka has faced many disasters: natural, like the Tsunami, or man-made, such as terrorism and insurgencies. We have faced them all successfully because we were a democracy.
This is why the constitution clearly states that the sovereignty of the people shall be jointly exercised within a framework of fundamental rights. First by the legislature. Second by the executive. And third by the judiciary. In fact, following the passage of the 19th Amendment, the President is responsible and accountable to Parliament. Due to the dissolution of Parliament, it has been unable to provide that oversight. As the date of elections has been extended, and the country has been engulfed by multiple crises, it is the President’s duty to invoke the provisions of the Constitution relating to such a situation, including Article 70(7).
Conclusion
The government is playing fast-and-loose with the Constitution and with the rule-of-law. It is not only putting the health of our democracy in danger, its actions are severely damaging the health of our economy. The borrowing limit is about to be breached, which means the government can raise no further funds despite the desperate need for a fiscal stimulus. We are on the verge of a constitutional crisis. There is uncertainty about the authorization to raise funds following 30 April. This cavalier attitude, combined with the myopic tax-cuts earlier this year, are key reasons why the interest rate on government debt rose to over 100% last week. Investors and financial markets have lost all confidence in the government. Even before the corona outbreak, the stock market was plummeting and foreign investors sold their assets in droves. By contrast, following the Easter Bombings we were able to raise debt in June 2019 at 5.49%.
Many citizens are going to lose their jobs. Our industries are facing an unprecedented crisis. The rupee is collapsing. This is the time to get all arms of government working to prevent any further deterioration in the situation. It is not the time to start constitutional crises. It took the economy months to recover after the last one in October 2019. To do so then was criminal, to do so today would be the most callous case of placing a family’s private political interest over the interests of the entire country.
Kabaragoya / April 12, 2020
Crunch comes when funds dry up. Public funds can only be spent with sanction of Parliament. (Article 148) There is no functioning of Parliament now. Elections cannot be held. How is Gota going to find the money? It would be illegal to use public money without sanction of Parliament. No foreign state will lend money as there is no legitimate government to which loans could be given. There is a predicament. The IMF has said that it will give the 1.3 billion loan only after parliamentary elections ie. after a proper government is constituted. The President is legitimate for now but there must come a time when funds dry out.
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Bunjappu / April 13, 2020
That will be crossing the rubicon, if BPs would nevertheless go for an Electoin.
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I think people should teach them a lession.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySnBHPxx8W0
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Old codger / April 13, 2020
This is a prelude to dictatorship. There already is an organized campaign promoting the military and Gota as “efficient”. Parliament is said to be unnecessary.
Covid is a godsend to Gota, who was about to drown in his own economic mess. Now he can clamp down on all spending with not a whimper. The press will sing hosannas.They will fall in with the latest sunshine stories, like the latest one which claims that the Navy is on alert to stop people fleeing India in boats. There are plenty of takers for the story, if read the comments in the DM.
The truth may be that the Navy is trying to prevent people trying to flee to India in search of onions, parippu, etc, which are going to be in short supply soon.
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sarrij / April 14, 2020
K.
In S L funds do not dry up.
The politicians have their own printing machines to solve monetary issues; nothing new.
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babalath appu / April 12, 2020
Dear Mr Samaraweera,
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Thank you very much for taking this up. Also today, relativey cheap petrolium prices in Germany reminded me your formular. Those pulligonas in srilanka were not clear what you introduced then to the nation, but each and every country in Europe have their own formulars that are set to every minute/second.
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Now back to the topic of the current article…. :Rajakshes dont care, if they think they should be naked before the people… they would do it…. that is how they have been BROUGHT up in that DEN in Maedamulana. Those dignified people will constantly curse on their parents. May gods be there to punish Rajapakshes .. that way only we can give a relief to this nation.
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They simply dont care about anything but just add what they think is right. This evoked me how he spoke to a press briefing prior to Prez election. There they question came up from the press was, how his govt would bring back the economy into tracks – there, he evasively, as a teenager boy would add it – ” apita deela balana api karana haeti – අපිට දීල බලන්න ඕ න බලන්න අපි කොරන හෙටි පෙන්වන්න just give us, then we will show you how we do it… ha ha… but viewers, in general srilanka, would just take it as it comes. They dont seem to get angry with his statments. I have the feeling his viewers are so made, as they could transport any irresponsible statements. People are, majority of them are fools. Or their culture make them behave so. This was not the case, prior to mid 80ties. People then expressed their outrage – after such silly statements if came from Premier or President. I think previous govt, headed by SIRISENA even went an extra mile and made numerous public statments, that caused unnessary angers/among the peoples of the country.
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Dilshan / April 12, 2020
Mr.Mangala Samaraweera
Nothing of this would have happened,had you discharged your responsibility given to you has been discharged your responsibility properly.
Amount of corruption my many of your cabinet colleagues like Ravi Karunanayake, Lakshman Kiriella, Malith Samrawickrema were extremely high may not match that of Gota,Basil, Namal.but still high. Apart from Rogue Afjuns Mahendran, every Member of board of directors appointed by your friend and prime minister were corrupt and inefficient.
Why were you.people like you and Eran kept silent.
Now you are preaching sermon and expect.people to.trust you after you.abused the trust people in 2015
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Thinker / April 13, 2020
Complete nonsense!
The past government arranged everything well for this regime by approving a vote on account in October 2019. Imagine the plight of this regime if that was not done. This regime messed up the economy from day 1. Knowing we have to repay $4.8 billion in loans in 2020, the regime reduced tax revenue. PB Jayaseundara who was found guilty of crimes was appointed to top office. Mahinda who was accused of siphoning money was made the finance minister. Basil who is an American citizen was put in charge of Covid-19 money management!
This regime must take a long hard look at them before pointing finger at the others.
BTW Gota’s name still hasn’t appeared in the list of former US citizens who renounced US citizenship. He is in violation of the Constitution. He must not be allowed to violate it again.
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Fahim Hameed / April 13, 2020
@Dilsha,
You cannot hold him.responsible at all, he may have made some hasty unwanted statements, especially with regard to the Sanghe, which I really believe he must give up his ego and make a public apolagy to the entire Sanghe, it will heal wounds and am sure they will.accept it, same with Ranjan
While Ranjan is a unmatured politician he is sincere and Mr.Mangala Samaraweera is a fine gentleman , Its Ranil and Malik and few others who blocked him and never allowed him to progress.
Now leave him out please , with out insulting or degrading the present leaders,be refined Citizens and place your rights in a civilised manner and be sensible and be united as Sri Lankans when you do so
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JD / April 12, 2020
What Mangala has written in most of he conclusion, according to Mangala himself what they were talking for the last 70 years. Sri Lanka does not need the parliament at a time when the whole country is locked down. Present govt has an ineffective parliament, one PM who knows the subject of how the govt works and a president who works for the benefit of the country and does his best to protect country’s interests.
What did Horapalanaya do ?.
Every where sabotage and destruction.
President and PM have shown very well that the parliamentary crooks are there only to impede and scuttle the proper functioning of the country.
If those who talk were in the govt, the country by now would have been a big funeral house and a hospital bed with terminal patients. Parliament would hide in one of their few mansions each has and they would need a few doctors each to constantly check their health.
Horapalanaya, they stole from the banks and from the ETF/EPF and was hiding it. but, they wanted to control the incoming govt which meant they knew they would lose big time. It is Sri lankan politicians who emptied the banks/EPFs. but, IMF and rating agencies devalued the rupee to 183. Good friends did not have any courtesy to those in the parliament.
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S. C. Pasqual / April 12, 2020
Mr. Mangala Samaraweera,
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This is almost laughable…
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First…. Crooked yahapalana government neglected the responsibility of passing a budget.
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Second…. Crooked yahapalana government created the 19th amendment trap.
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Third…. Crooked yahapalana government neglected democracy by postponing local government till eternity.
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Fourth…. Crooked yahapalana government neglected democracy by not appointing MR as opposition leader.
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Fifth…. Crooked yahapalana government destroyed power sharing base by destroying provincial councils.
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Sixth…. I don’t think you want me to remind you about Easter Sunday bombs…. and people’s reactions after that.
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Seventh…. Can you remember the struggle you had not to conduct presidential election.
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And now you are worried about constitutional crisis…..?
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Native Vedda / April 13, 2020
S. C. Pasqual
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Crook and war criminal Finance minister didn’t pass budgets covering two and half years periods between 2008 and 2010.
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“Second…. Crooked yahapalana government created the 19th amendment trap.”
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Else crooked war criminal would have contested presidential elections again and again, and again, ……
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“Seventh…. Can you remember the struggle you had not to conduct presidential election.”
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Do you remember crooked war criminal illegally occupied Prime Ministers seat and Wimal Sangili Karuppan wanted to evict Ranil from his official residence using violence?
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kali / April 13, 2020
Pasqual you Ignorant
Caan you remind the readers of Gothas achievements.
1) Being summoned to Delhi to be giveen orders and and a bit of stale |Laddu. which is still regurgitating.
2) Banned from being Airborne again to any Country. I dont know if you know that after returning from India he booked a ticket to go to Beiging and on the orders of India it was cancelled.
3) Californian Judge allowed the appeal of Ahimsa that he will be eligible for Trial when his term ends. But according to one Gotha Lover ( Punci Banda ) the 2/3rds Majortity will be used to PARDON him for life for Crimes Against Humanity and that will be applied by anyone in power including RW who will administer it as an Honour for his service to Humanity.
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Buddhist / April 12, 2020
Its time as the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa should approach the Supreme Court and ask the Court’s opinion re: use of funds by the President and the rules re: next election date.
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ROHAN JOHNPILLAI / April 12, 2020
the bull shitting, cock and bull maestro are at again.?
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during the November 16th hustling they with an American advisor or two were able to brainwash the modaya Sinhalese voters who shit sit on their tiny midget of brains to vote for a kallathoni war criminal of the highest category.
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he strode into power proclaiming that he will do this that and he will give pride of place to the lowly esteemed Buddhist philosophy and the Sinhala brainless community who are the worlds best in the fine fewer arts of burning, looting [ robbing ] raping and you name it most of the Yakko’s who even sell their women along with their children to live by smoking beedi, Ganga, kassipu and other illegal items.
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they have a past-master who thrives on eating the cow’s droppings known to one and all as cow dung.
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he first kidnapped a Catholic mixed-race beauty-less obnoxious of a human beast, forced under duress to become his concubine of a wife slave and taught her the fine art of indulging in many a criminal act which included the killing of a much-lauded and respected sportsman who was a threat to her eldest sons immoral romantic adventures.
the said lass the grand-daughter of Sri Lanka’s film actor got the taste of enjoying the forbidden food and liquor is now happily married to another Muslim rugby player.
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now coming back to the many a tongued arsehole he has been able to charm, force his way to achieve all his goals.
he stopped a Tamil from becoming the rightful PM, then during 2005 polls bribed the then cocky Velu Pirbha in US.$ to prevent the Tamils from casting their votes and then using unconventional banned weaponry defeated the Tamil Tigers.
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JD / April 12, 2020
Sri Lanka does not need 224 to run the country even when the country is running in full. A few is more than enough to run it. USA is a very big very rich country which handles lot of money. but it is run by a president about 18 people who are ministers and his office.
Why Sri lanka has to fatten 225 when that many are not needed and Sri lanka has to pay hefty pay packets, just to sign the register and go some where else pay Rs 90 per hour (except the other benefits and perks).
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Native Vedda / April 13, 2020
JD
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Please stop your absurd typings about USA.
It is a Federal state.
President appoints his/her cabinet (unelected), House of Representatives and the Senate.
Then the 50 states Governors, representatives, ………….
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“Sri Lanka does not need 224 to run the country even when the country is running in full.”
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The president, his brothers, his goons and their cronies alone can and will single handedly run the island into the ground. They do not need another 224., nor a parliament.
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Happy Sinhala/Buddhist new year!!!!
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babalath appu / April 12, 2020
STATE AUTHORITIES OVER TO YOU:
pLEASE help those farmers to sell their harvests, else, they are hit double by both CORONA and their existence:
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We srilankens living out of country see that the vegetable and fruit farmers are messed by not having proper systems to allow buying their harvests. These poor farmers are totally helpless. Not only CORONA, but not being able to earn their living, they have been thrown from frying pan to the fire. Some seen to be speechless and crying loudly due to their helplessness that they are compelled to be. This situation leads these poor peoples to end up being the unexpected. THese farmers are double hit here because there is no proper system to help them out. Why cant the regional authorities taking the proper actions in this regard ? They boast about their little achievement almost every day, but whole lot of farmers suffer by not being able to sell their harvests as had been before. If the authorities would take the following steps, these people will be relieved by their current situation:
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1) Each and every urban or suburben areas seem to have school playgrounds or the like free places where the lorry loads could easily be transportable. Please authorities this request is to you – make a plan so that authorities ask these regional farmers to come and sell their products to you the govt, in such places. Then the govt authorities can transport them to the people in the very same areas
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2) To facilitate the methods, they can work with gramasevakas, teachers of the nearest schools and buddhist monks in each and every region
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3) No politicians should directly be involved in this process because people would never welcome if politicians would make use of the situation to score their voters.
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Ajay / April 12, 2020
Mangala, who cares Man? We Rajapaksas have made all the money we want. Now we are only concerned about consolidating our political power so that our famly dynasty will be entrenched in power for several generations to come. As far as I can see, we have nothing to worry about as the majority in the country are Baiyas and are always ever ready to bend over for us – the Jathika Weerayos from Ruhuna. [A Historical Footnote: Mangala, see how well we’ve done, compared to you, we being descendents of Javanese (Malay) traders and mercenaries settled by the Dutch in the Hambantota area. You must learn to screw our people more efficiently, Man]
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THUMPANE GAMAYA / April 12, 2020
Mangala was the man responsible for the defeat of UNP. His action angered the Buddhists and as a result they went against the UNP.
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Stan / April 13, 2020
Any sensible action will anger the Sinhala Buddhists.
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Pon Kulendiren / April 12, 2020
Mangala is hitting Mahinda on the head. Violating defined procure is nothing new to Mahinda dynasty When the dynasty gets an opportunity to make money in the name of COVID 19 why should they miss them.Co to hell with the procedure and accounting system. This the reply of Mahinda dynasty to Mangala
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Unreal / April 12, 2020
All these facts and figures are water off a duck’s back as far as the Rajapaksas are concerned.
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Thondamany / April 12, 2020
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Fahim Hameed / April 12, 2020
Right now my desperate problem is vendors are coming to our door step to be ja ela .
but everyone wants only cash .
So this lockdown says you step out and we will arrest you and send you to Quarantine.
I do not have large money stacked stacked at home so are my neighbours.
We have small budgets , we keep it in saving and withdraw only small amounts carefully managing budgets .
Now we can not go to the Atm to withdraw cash to pay for our essentials to home delivery .
I do not understand the logic .
Can the government kindly explain?
What do we do ? Our money is stuck in the bank and we can not go to a atm to withdraw and we can not buy our food.
Appreciate if someone tells us exactly what to do.
There are many kids and new no end around and no milk powder available .
Please respond to our grievences .
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Old codger / April 13, 2020
Fahim,
Very valid and reasonable complaints.
How do we pay vendors if we aren’t allowed to go to an ATM?
The supposed solution, from the “Viyathmaga” geniuses, is to order online from supermarkets, but they are not set up for online orders. It takes hours to get through, websites if any are crashed. Of course the ones at the top don’t have to go through all this in their ivory towers. They can afford to tell the rest of us to be patriotic and starve for the country.
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Old codger / April 13, 2020
Right now I can hear the local temple using loudspeakers to appeal for donations to feed 250 people at the gate. Is mainstream media unaware of such happenings or are they being kept quiet, military style?
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Abhaya Premawardena / April 12, 2020
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justice / April 12, 2020
“Many citizens are going to lose their jobs”……………………………………………………………many will lose their pensions too ………………………………….already many pensioners abroad are being denied their pensions, without any reason being given.
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ThanthaiChelva / April 13, 2020
That’s a good decision to stop pensions to those residing abroad. SL has run out of forex.
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Fahim Hameed / April 12, 2020
I heard banks are to provide mobile banking .
What kind of irrational decision is this.
How are you going to cover so many areas?
Please accept the the break down and collapse of the entire country with this lockdown.
It has created severe grievance to the entire people .
We appreciate The government trying it out , but it’s a complete failure.
If The Present system is continued we will be finished, no offence meant, but I say this with no reservations the advicers are messing up and misleading even seasoned politicians like Our Prime minister too.
The President must as soon asap before Sinhala new Year lift the curfew completely , open the country up.
The next step is immediately come up with an App for the citizens that can give them immediate approval by permitting just One member or driver + 1 and a time frame to go do the job and be back .
This is the only solution.
You can start with all food items and medicine out let’s and even curfew pass can be approved on individual app.
Please act now .
At least internal trade will keep the country on the move.
If you do not have time for an App.
Let each police station have about 2 to four business WhatsApp created until you have an App and use that for now.
It’s very hard to get through police stations they have just one number.
I don’t blame them.
And please stop militrizing the Covid 19 suspect and get phi , GS and 1 or 2 policemen ( armed) to check and meantime provide a amnesty period.
None of the methods are working only making people hate the government more and dragging down our economy and straving the extreme poor .
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Covidravidian / April 13, 2020
Irrational is Gotabaya’s middle name.
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K.A. Sumanasekera / April 13, 2020
Those which our Patriotic ex Finance Minister call all Canards are in fact feeding the Inhabitants at least Dhall and Mackeral with the impounded Rice.
As well as protecting them and their kiddies from the Corona Virus .
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While Mangala Samares all Budget allocations , which were all legit according to the Constitution fed the UNP and its Yahapalana supporters imported Lamb with , Chilean Wines and even Black Label.
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And gave the Law makers in Kotte Free Car Permits worth LKR 34 Million each….
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Also Mangala Samare’s boss Dr Rani gave a special allocation of extra LKR 100,000 on top of their Monthly Wage and other Allowances plus the r Perks.
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Wonder whether our poor inhabitants who are living in Isolation with the threat of Corona hanging over their heads will buy these Mangala Samare’s canards?..
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BTW , was that LKR 11 Billion which was taken from our EPF, at least acknowledged by a Vote of Thanks to the EPF members?..
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Sunil Abeyratne / April 13, 2020
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Fahim Hameed / April 13, 2020
There are many issues we have forgotten concerning people , some may be minor and some are very serious , but both are requirements for some people that can not be ignored for to long.
What about people who need regular clinic visits for illness they have no choice but to live with it by regular clinic visits, kidney patients who need dialysis,etc.
People need a hair cut ( some may find this funny, but we can not all shave our heads )
If we look with responsibilty withput wsting time spreading false rumaour and having a good laugh at the death of people in Iran and China and indulging in sick racism , there will be many important things we may have made a miss and by proving feedback to the government we may do a better service to God , than prsy amd be a hypocrite by indulging in racism.and religous hate, it is desyrpyimg Sri Lanka,simply because we took it it too easy When we had all the time to start kicking the ball and then when all hell brokeout in Europe who was not willing to sacrifice their partys and Iranians who are usually sane and obeying the Spritual leader refused and kept mingling , to blindly run a mock in panic is not helping.
I request the President and Prime Minister to seek advice from Israel to help us with Apps , they seem to have developed an App that can monitor it’s citizens movement to know where they are and if required , tell them.to report to the health care centre for testing , during pandemic it is made mandetrey to switch on the app when travelling only .
We are not getting anywhere by frustrating people with lockdowns , curfew and use of fear .
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ponnaya ranasinghe / April 13, 2020
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Deshapremiya / April 13, 2020
The politicians are keen on two thirds and distatorship and what not
They have forgotten that it is their primary duty to keep the people alive
Look at the number if self employed begging from house house because they did not get samurai or government hand outs
They have no money to live
Is this not the duty of a govt
Look at the vegetable distribution
On one hand they want everyone to grow
On the other side the growers are stuck with their produce unable to market them
What kind of thinking goes into all this from policy makers
One person suggested that trains be employed to transport vegetables
Which we believe is good as it will curtail the vehicles that need to ply to economic centers and back
The other why could not the government empower the KADE which is near to people ,by giving him the goods and obtaining a cheque dated a month or two
As payment
Then the folks near by can come at leisure and collect their daily needs instead of flocking to the town and all kinds of people we have never seen coming in battas
selling various things.
Keep the super market open and get two policemen to ask one person from a house in one lane at a time to shop
This way crowding can be averted
Talk of these things not holding elections
After all what will elections do votes will be taken for new Prados and then raise the hand for anything and everything
When the ruling party comes to the opposition the very things they voted for become the wrong things like the 19 th amendment
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Goviya / April 13, 2020
It is not ‘samurai’ it is ‘samurdhi’, ha ha!
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Raj / April 13, 2020
Mangala,
I doubt about your 4 canards because you guys failed miserably when you held power. How can people forget the Central Bank robbery and the Easter massacre?
Today, I spoke to few people and they all say Gota should be allowed to do the job without the 225. They say it would also save several billions of rupees since every sitting of Diyawanna club costs tax payers a couple of billions every year!
Almost all of them said the 2/3 majority, when an election is held, will not be a problem either! Is Covid-19 a blessing in disguise as opposed to how Mangala’s Yahapalana regime mishandled the great daytime robbery and the Catholic/Tourist massacre?
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Stan / April 13, 2020
It was not Mangala who screwed it up but those two clowns Sirisena and Ranil.
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kali / April 13, 2020
Sinkala Raj ( Shame on you )
1) They say it would also save several billions of rupees since every sitting of Diyawanna club costs tax payers a couple of billions every year!
*** Tell that to the IMF which has put on hold the request for $1.5 Billion for survival that MR will underwrite the Loan from his own Resources which he Gotha & Basil stole .
2) Almost all of them said the 2/3 majority, when an election is held, will not be a problem either! Is Covid-19 a blessing in disguise as opposed to how Mangala’s Yahapalana regime mishandled the great daytime robbery and the Catholic/Tourist massacre?1) 1
*** 2/3rds is an understatement. MR will get 99% and COVID 19 is definitely a Blessing in disguise to bring out the best in Gotha . A man of Proven Economic abilty although IMF have refused to believe his CV
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kulasinghe k s / April 13, 2020
Who is KABARAGOYA
Who is Babalath Appu
Who Bunjappu
??????????
I have no comment cos my most valid comments are chucked in the dust bin by ***t ????
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Raj / April 13, 2020
Mangala,
I forgot my last point: In your conclusion (4th canard?), you say that not only the health of our democracy but the health of our economy too ‘in danger’.
True; but you along with the previous Yahapalana cabal are mainly responsible for it, and people are well aware of it. However, at this moment, the very survival of the human species that you and I belong to, is in danger! It is good that you wrote this article in English and published in a ‘foreign’ website. Many Sri Lankans won’t get a chance to read it in Sinhala and it won’t therefore have a serious effect on your vote bank. Otherwise, they will definitely think that you try to fish in the muddy water!
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Renu / April 13, 2020
What would be the scenario if they resort to a Military set to tied over the very obvious constitutional crisis we are heading for . Can they use public money then? and what would be the repercussions with he burrowing institutions like the World Bank & IMF
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kali / April 13, 2020
Part 1
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Speech Grossly Irresponsible & Misleading
Mangala Samaraweera – Former Finance Minister
*** I am surprised that you are shedding Crocodile tears now when you had the opportunity to keep Gotha on check but failed by abdicating too early when there was no need. CBK was the Co Founder of the Yalpana Government so I believe her when she says Sri Lanka needs $8000 Million to stay alive let alone survive the onslaught of COVD -19 . Many a Governments across the World are struggling and Gotha supported by the Majority Racists is trying to pull a wool over. Gotha is a failled businessman and he is a CRIMINAL with CURFEW written all over him to treat Corona. What a fool.
As for your failings you didn’t have to quit and run away but you passed it to MR. You could have carried on until fresh elections and we Tamils elected you with a slender majority. But you had many failings and were responsible for Mismanagement that brought about your DOWNFALL. I am not bothered about financial mismanagement which was miniscule compared to how much MR, Gotha Basil the Biggest THIEF and Cabaraal spirited away running into Billions. But what concerns me is the Political Mismanagement when you failed to Implement UN Resolutions but were interested in Protecting War Criminals.
As for what is sweeping the Country is God Punishing you and let me list the punishment.
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kali / April 13, 2020
Part 2
1) I start with the $8000.
2) IMF has delayed Sri Lanka under Gotha requesting $1,5 billion by 4 months as the reason for that is IMF doesn’t trust or have any respect for Gotha. IMF is waiting to see who gets elected and MR will no doubt sweep in and that will icing on the cake and no doubt the answer by IMF will be a firm NO.
3) The President did not have the opportunity to get the assistance of Parliament to do any of these things. Parliament did not support us when we tried to get an interim budget approved before Parliament dissolved.”
*** You could have saved the Nation by staying in untioll fresh elections and in the Current Situation you would got the all party support but you abdicated.
4) However, we did object to raising the debt-ceiling. As a result of the debt-fuelled growth of the 2009 to 2015 era and the utterly irresponsible tax cuts this year, Sri Lanka was in a debt-trap. If we failed to pay our debt, then we would default. This would lead us down the path of Argentina or Greece.
*** Now you know why IMF has put things on hold and if MR is elected it will be REFUSED .
5) This is why the constitution clearly states that the sovereignty of the people shall be jointly exercised within a framework of fundamental rights. First by the legislature. Second by the executive. And third by the judiciary.
*** Judiciary is in the hands of Gotha he can overrule Supreme Court.
For Sri Lankas bad luck World is watching and no way out of this under Gotha the War CRIMINAL
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Fahim Hameed / April 13, 2020
How can arresting and filling our our already over crowded jails going to help ? Or arresting for everything and quarantine in centre where we are already struggling to manage going to help ?
I really wonder who are the advicers.
Where are the two educated people like Ali Sabry and Shehan Serasinghe?
Are they on special lockdown ?
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