Prime Minister and Leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremesinghe admitted today that the results of the local government elections demonstrate that the people have not been in favour of the programme the party has implemented since coming to power.
He made this confession at a meeting held at Temple Trees with several UNP ministers including Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa, Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka, State Minister of Finance Iran Wickramaratne, Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Harin Fernando, Deputy Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ajith P Perera and Deputy Minister of National Policy and Economic Affairs Harsha De Silva.
They had also discussed proposals and ideas for a special programme to take the country forward within a short period of time. The group of ministers is to submit to the Prime Minister a report that includes the ideas and proposals discussed.
Wickremesinghe had said that the Government had not lived up to the expectations of the people. He said that he had decided to move ahead by correcting the flaws. He added that under the leadership of the President there would be a cabinet reshuffle, but insisted that attention will be paid to the principles of the government.
K.Pillai / February 24, 2018
Every Lankan leader since independence was on a damage control mode.
Way way back, SWRD tried the BC pact. The cabinet revolted and he walked away.
JR J tried pogroms but this only made the thirst for blood stronger.
MR tried white-vans. When the going got tough he let Mervyn take over. Wimal put his hands up to organise impeachment etc. in return got few more passports.
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RW does not know where to start! Controlling corruption is almost impossible. The SLPP has refloated the refurbished language/religion-divide. Match it?
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Douglas / February 24, 2018
Native Vedda: Since you mentioned that young economist’s name of UNP and a “Blue Eyed” boy of RW, it came to my mind to request your attention to the latest proposal to set up a “Company” on the theory of “National Payment Platform” (NPP) to handle all State Payments. This proposal was brought in the 2016 Budget by the then Minister of Finance (Ravi K) and was shelved. Again this has come up and the present Governor of the CB (Dr. Coomaraswamy) has written to PM registering his STRONG OBJECTIONS to the proposal. Do you know who PM has entrusted the JOB of “Negotiation” on the matter with the CB Governor? He is none other than this “Young Dr. Harsha de Silva” the Economist. Already a very competent system is in place through an Institution named “Lanka Clear” with participation of the CB and all other Govt. Financial Agencies. Then why “Another”? Is it for a “No 3 Scam” apart from the “2 Bond Scams”? It would also be interesting for you to get hold of the “Sermon” delivered to the “Intellectual Professionals Organization of UNP” by an eminent Economist named Dr. Sally, who is also an “Adviser” to the Ministry of Finance. He said two glaring “Mistakes” and “Wrongs” done by PM, were (1) Appointment of Ravi K as the Minister of Finance and (2) Appointment of Mahendran as the Governor of CB. Where were these Economists and those members of that “Intellectuals’ Organization” affiliated to UNP when those mistakes were done? Also this “Economist” in his speech suggested that the country must lift all tariffs systems and become a “Tariff Free” country in the South East Asia. How do you like that? These “Tigers” would never change their “SPOTS”. Unfortunately a large “Majority” of the “VOTERS” do not want to KNOW all these; instead they are LED to camp on SECTARIAN grounds.
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Sarrij / February 25, 2018
D.
Hidden agenda for another scam.
There is always a method in their madness.
The President will probably get sucked in.
Wait and see.
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Native Vedda / February 25, 2018
Douglas Man
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The way things are I might consider retiring to a monastery from CT.
The comments here in CT and elsewhere are determined by racial differences. The crooks love it when people are divided. Apart from racial politics a substantial section of the society seem not to know a right from wrong. We have have not only lost 70 years of development in fact we have lost the initial advantage we had which no other country had.
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Some times I wonder whether the country needs police, courts, parliament, rules and regulations, code of good practices, ………………………………
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And I catch you later.
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Orville / February 24, 2018
The Baiya video put out by the UNP against Mahinda Rajapakse backfired on them. What a disaster !
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Good Sense / February 25, 2018
I hope this is a sincere start of mending ways after realizing mistakes of the past. If not the very “Yahapalana” group would be wiped out in the first given opportunity.
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shankar / February 25, 2018
“sincere start of mending ways”
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
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Henry Fernando / February 25, 2018
Why are the two leaders reluctant to face the glaring issue facing the people of our country? Even after the clear signal given at the recent LG elections they dare mention about bringing the perpetrators, fraudsters and criminals bringing before the Law in the proposed re-structure . Both leaders seem to fight shy of this main issue though it is foremost in the hearts and minds of the people who brought them to power at the last two elections in 2015. You increased all MPP’s pay and gave them other perks to garner their support not because they were living a hand to mouth lives like the rest of the poor. This is clear retribution , you being ardent Buddhists and following the tenets of Lord Buddha should set an example to former and present politicians. That way you could have done a great service to our country. We are constrained to make such comments because we hear all four main Religious sectors preaching their precepts all most round the clock in addition to politicians. We have yet to hear from the two leaders even at this late stage that they will give first priority to honestly cause action to bring those responsible for the numerous murders and abductions orchestrated in the past. We never heard this promise echoed in the last LG election platforms, Politicians appear to have drop the cardinal issue but they should do well to remember the embers are still flickering which can cause an ignition at a future Election. Please don’t take things for granted. Our country has suffered enough in all fronts. This might well be your last chance. Try and recover from your stupor. face your failures with courage and honour. Tactical manoeuvring will not work.’Take the bull by the horns.’
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Native Vedda / February 25, 2018
Douglas Man
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The way things are I might consider retiring to a monastery from CT.
The comments here in CT and elsewhere are determined by racial differences. The crooks love it when people are divided. Apart from racial politics a substantial section of the society seem not to know a right from wrong. We have have not only lost 70 years of development in fact we have lost the initial advantage we had which no other country had.
–
Some times I wonder whether the country needs police, courts, parliament, rules and regulations, code of good practices, ………………………………
–
And I catch you later.
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