In an obvious mix up in priorities, the Yahapalanaya government led by Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe continued to shower the 225 parliamentarians with bonanza after bonanza, while slapping the public with more taxes and price increase in essential items. In the latest bonanza, the Cabinet approved a proposal to provide an extra vehicle each to the Parliamentarians, which is expected to cost the government a colossal sum running to several hundred million.
The additional vehicle for which approval was given, is in addition to the vehicle they receive through the permit which they are entitled to. The proposal for an additional vehicle for each parliamentarian was submitted by the Minister of Media and Parliamentary Affairs, Gayantha Karunathilaka.
The latest move comes in the midst of another proposal to provide an additional monthly allowance of Rs.175,000 to parliamentarians, which will cost the government a further Rs. 472.8 million a year. The proposal received wide opposition from civil society organisations including the National Movement for Social Justice, Purawesi Balaya and Decent Lanka.
The back to back bonanza offers to parliamentarians come in the wake of the government facing a severe financial debacle, and as the country continued to plunge into economic chaos.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed that in a period of just one year the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government had obtained a staggering US $ 6361 million in loans. While Wickremesinghe has been continuously blaming Rajapaksa, saying due to the loans taken during the past decade, the current government is in debt to the tune of almost Rs. 10 trillion.
Speaking in Parliament last Wednesday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe disclosed that within the next six weeks, his government will have to decide if the government had the capacity to absorb US $ 1 billion debt, else the future course of action that should be taken to address this issue. The debt ridden national carrier, SriLankan airlines is dragging an equally debt ridden government into a fresh crisis having no way of paying up a nearly US $ 1 billion debt.
Last week, the government approached China seeking a currency swap of US $ 1 billion, which follows a currency swap with India, as the country’s foreign exchange reserves continued to deteriorate. The Yahapalanaya government has also so far failed to attract foreign investments to the country despite initial rhetoric pledging otherwise.
This month, Sri Lanka also received repeated setbacks from international credit rating agencies, with Fitch Ratings downgrading its ratings on Sri Lanka by a notch to B+ with a negative outlook, which was followed by Standard & Poor’s revised outlook on its B+ sovereign credit rating to negative, in the midst of mounting concerns of increasing debt, weak revenue and decline in foreign reserves.
In early March, Wickremesinghe increased the Value Added Tax to 15%, and also reintroducing the Capital Gain Tax. Mid this month, the price per kilogram of wheat flour was increased by Rs. 7.20, which resulted in an increase in all flour based products including bread, which went up by Rs. 4.
pyal / March 27, 2016
These are heartless lot, no feeling for the people who put them in those places.
My God, so long as these greedy lot in the scene, no salvation for the people and the country. They always want to suck the people dry. Next time when all of them come to the people, they must show their shoes to these greedy lot. They go to the parliament saying they want to serve the people instead they serve themselves to the hilt at the poor people’s expenses.
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Fathima Fukushima / March 27, 2016
SL is doomed again.
Ranil Rajapaksha and Ravi Rajapaksha ruining SL.
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Don Stanley / March 27, 2016
The Ranil Wickramasinghe- Sirisena government are utterly corrupt and irresponsible.
Currency swaps with China and India to keep the Parliament of Morons Circus in clover are MAGNIFYING THE NATIONAL DEBT ten fold.
The pay off for these loans/ currency swaps from China and India are White Elephant Environmental and Financial DISASTER causing projects like the China Colombo Port City and the Sampur Coal plant. It is the poor people of Sri Lanka that will have to suffer due to the resulting financial and environmental crises..
The JVP and Civil Society must soon take to the streets to protest the dirty Ranil-Sira Govt. which is tangoing with Jarapassa rather than sending him to prison and disbanding the 100 plus Cabinet of Clowns.
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Srilal / March 28, 2016
Dear CT Editors ,
” In the latest bonanza, the Cabinet approved a proposal to provide an extra vehicle each to the Parliamentarians, which is expected to cost the government a colossal sum running to several hundred million.”
Could you please explain the proposal in a bit detail manner ? is it going to be a Duty free permit or we tax payers going to foot the bill for the whole vehicle ? your reporting gives the impression that we tax payers going to pay for 225 vehicles !
“The latest move comes in the midst of another proposal to provide an additional monthly allowance of Rs.175,000 to parliamentarians, which will cost the government a further Rs. 472.8 million a year. The proposal received wide opposition from civil society organisations including the National Movement for Social Justice, Purawesi Balaya and Decent Lanka.”
above piece of reporting is also misleading , Additional monthly allowance proposal has already been turned down , so what is the point in repeating something which is not valid any more ?
Your reporting also similar to ” Derana ” reporting , I don’t think we need to blow it out of proportion.
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Chandra / March 27, 2016
Fathima Fukshima aka Lorenzo
What you got fed up of hood winking the gullible at Lankaweb you trying it on here?
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Fathima Fukushima / March 28, 2016
Truth hurts isn’t it?
Shoot the messenger!
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PROUDMAN / March 28, 2016
Hello fathima
where have you been?
nice to see you back.
missed you.
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Amarasiri / March 27, 2016
RE:Vehicle Bonanza For MPs As Country Plunges Into Economic Crisis
“In an obvious mix up in priorities, the Yahapalanaya government led by Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe continued to shower the 225 parliamentarians with bonanza after bonanza, while slapping the public with more taxes and price increase in essential items.”
Our turn to the Peoples Piggy Bank. Thank you people.
You put, we take.
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Adrian / March 28, 2016
Such powers should not be given to parliamentarians. Their privileges should be determined by judiciary along with the budget proposals. Budget should also should get judiciary approval. If not parliament will end up as cave of the rogues.
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Shan / March 27, 2016
Why we have two Finance Ministers? Both Ravi and Ranil act as FM.
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shankar / March 27, 2016
shan
isn’t that obvious.ranil has no confidence in ravi.sometimes even siri is the finance minister.So siri also has no confidence in ravi.opposition also always keeps on bringing no confidence motions against ravi,however that should be a plus point for him,knowing the quality of the opposition who don’t really have the country’s interest at heart as we saw in their behaviour during the previous regime.However PM and president not having confidence in him but still keeping him in the job is quite baffling.Then he must be the good guy no?
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bandy / March 28, 2016
He is the faithful ass that kept Premadasa at bay.
He was dreaming of joining low cost and normal and running the airline Richard Branson style.
Great expectations.
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Amarasiri / March 27, 2016
Shan
“Why we have two Finance Ministers? Both Ravi and Ranil act as FM.”
Raigamaya and Gampolaya, reincarnation?
Like the man from Raigama Meeting the man from Gampola
Raygama and Gampola are two villages in Sri Lanka. They were quite famous in the days of the Sinhalese kings, for some of the kings used to live there. A man from Raygama is called Raigamaya and a man from Gampola, a Gampolaya.
There were once a Raigamaya and a Gampolaya who travelled from village to village carrying pingo-loads of Betel, and Arecanuts, to sell. Betel is a kind leaf that grows on creepers and Arecanuts, a kind of nut that grows on trees. It is a habit among Ceylon villagers to chew betel leaves with bite of arecanuts and lime. The two men used to met in an way-station to pass the night.
One day, Raigamaya thought of earning more money by cheating Gampolaya. He collected leaves of pepper, which looked almost like betel. He packed his bag with leaves of pepper. Gampolaya did a similar thing. He wanted to deceive Raigamaya by putting DOMBA nuts, which looked almost like Arecanuts, into his bag.
When they met at the way-station, they talked to each other as usual. But each thought to himself thus: “I will take my friend’s bag, as if by mistake, and make money by selling his goods”. The next morning, when Raigamaya awoke and hastened to fetch his friend’s bag, he found that his friend had already left with his own bag! Both felt very happy that they were able to fool the other. But soon they discovered that they were themselves fooled! Ever since then, people say “Like the man from Raigam meeting the man from Gampola.
This proverb is used on occasions when a crafty man meets his equal.
So we have two Finance Ministers!
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jim softy / March 27, 2016
Vehicle Bonanza For MPs As Country Plunges Into Economic Crisis
Mahinda chintanaya again.
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Common Sense / March 27, 2016
What is visible to the normal man is that this very Finance Minister introduced a mid term budget in February 2015 upon the overthrow of the Jarapassa regime in January 2015 to reduce the prices of a whole host of items. The reduction of price of petrol per liter from Rs 150 to 117 particularly excited many a car owner although the reduction promised was upto Rs 100 per liter. Prices of some seven comodity items were also reduced although they may not be that well used in Southern parts of Sri Lanka. What happens? Within one year there is back again on the path of increases of taxes where Ravi K becomes Mr. Kill Joy. The value of the currency fell. Whats going on?
I think the management of finances should not be left in the Minister and his officials alone. There must be a parliamentary oversight committee consisting of all shades of politicians to whet the state of the economy very regularly. Apart from the loss of the financial grip there seems to be a loss of grip in other spheres of Government. If this was truly a national government then let that be shown clearly. This mix up of priorities which is highlighted by CT in one particular instances and many other instances unknown to the public, to my mind, is the root cause of this loss of grip.
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bandy / March 28, 2016
He has been `swaping` SLR for Dollar from India which is better than borrowing to keep those low prices of goods.
Currency will fall against US$ and it was known 6 months before- From January 2016 US is the largest exporter of Gas in the world. though the price of a barrel has halved even western governments have not reduced it proportionately but used those taxes in other areas of budget.
They are all thieves that you elect and all they dream is their next big commission but never your well being.
That is what todays politics is- when politician goes out and sees the king of Saud he just wonders what he is up to living so poor so it all begins. golden rule never get caught.
take care.
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Vibhushana / March 27, 2016
The currency devaluation is a zero-sum event. There are those who gain, equally there are those who lose. The positives and negatives collectively adds to zero.
The exporters should be winners then the LKR loses its value. Its the importers who are the losers.
In Sri Lanka however they have managed to even beat this natural balance. Here the exporters and losing too.
The exports are diving down. The exports like tea is losing more ground. Especially at a time when Iran has come out of sanctions.
In addition, there was a plantation wage hike. The extra payment was not tied
to productivity. They are now the most well paid least productive in world terms.
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shankar / March 27, 2016
[Edited out]
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shankar / March 27, 2016
[Edited out]
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Bandara / March 27, 2016
The Yahapalanayas are proving to be a bunch of liars and hypocrites. Why should these parliamentarians be given extra vehicles, especially when the country’s coffers are virtually empty? They want to increase taxes on the people, whilst they pay no taxes and get all sorts of perks free of charge and use their influence to line their sordid bank accounts through ‘deals’ and unlawful actions.
Don’t Maithri, Ranil and Ravi K have anything even resembling a conscience between them?
These guys are so disgusting, no words can describe their repulsiveness. They are giving the last bunch of crooks a good run for their money!
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Billa / March 27, 2016
Lanka will never attain maturity in anything, let alone politics, economy or rule of law. All the Lankan political people are just blindly going about and doing things they really do not understand.
Hon.RW, Mythri, Ravi.K and other bunch of good for nothing ministers are just marking time, wasting money, doing nothing good for the country or the people who threw MR and voted for them. These useless people are given the responsibility of governing a nation again and it will also end up in disaster.
There is not much difference even now between the former regime and the present one, except for some temporarily relaxed freedom and any visible white vans ! That’s all and the same story continues…
One thing will surely happen which no one can stop it. We are just doomed for good !
Dharmishta, Mahinda chinthanaya and now Yahapalanaya…all are just humbug wordings to cheat all and sundry.
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kumaran / March 27, 2016
They look exactly like the cat/s that have had the cream!!
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Jojo / March 27, 2016
Kumaran, Ranil looks like the “cat”. Ravi looks decidedly porcine wondering where his next ‘meal’ is coming from.
Shameless fugs!
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Manel / March 27, 2016
Priorities, priorities! The people did not vote for these clowns, so that we will continue to have the same BS that the Rajapaksa’s gave us. These pampered Ministers should have managed with the thousands of vehicles used by the last regime. How about thinking of the Sri Lankan people, who are struggling to cope with the high cost of living, and sacrifice their desire for new flashy cars, by trying to reduce sky rocketing prices?
These politicians are all the same, they come with false promises, and do the same thing they accuse the previous regime of doing. Shame on these Ministers. Sri Lanka cannot have any hope with such selfish politicians, and as long as they have that same mentality.
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Patrick Rodrigo / March 27, 2016
I suppose these guys need new expensive vehicles to visit the 22% of the population who are on the poverty line.
Patrick
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B Mackka / March 27, 2016
We were promised that there would be 30 ministers. Now additional vehicles for these ……………..
At least give vehicles only once for 10 year period. Also have a cap of 5 Mn.
Wither Yahapalana? Alas for the death of Ven Sobhitha!
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EDWIN RODRIGO / March 27, 2016
A country which cannot afford to give its MP’s an extra vehicle is not worth governing.
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Appusingho / March 27, 2016
So why dont you give them your vehicle.
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Lankan Resident / March 27, 2016
Rodrigo, is that why you fled the country and are pontificating from abroad?
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bo / March 27, 2016
Extra vehicle? What for? Each of them already have 10 -15 vehicles and vehicles for their retinues. Ever got caught in traffic when these pot bellied apes are on the move? They really make my stomach churn whenever I see bits of news that they are poor and unable to cope with their workload without another set of luxury vehicles. Send all these baskets to India and learn how Indian ministers are still going about in their business with old Ambassador cars. OK give these clowns some ambassadors; if Indians could do it, these apes could do the same
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Rajash / March 28, 2016
This country was never governed but pilfered
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shankar / March 28, 2016
rajasH
pilferage was over long ago.From last regime on wards it is plunder.
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Antany Peter / March 27, 2016
During the election January 2015 former President Mahinda Rajapaksa once said that “a known devil is better than unknown angel.” Perhaps we believed the unknown angel.
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Anon / March 27, 2016
No water, no power, foods getting expensive, an ongoing el niño, increased tax, a polarised political climate, and the people in power keep wasting money.
There’s going to be a large scale riot very soon. Let’s hope this time it isn’t directed towards other ethnicities or religions, but rather the people who are actually screwing the country over: the politicians
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Douglas / March 27, 2016
Manel: You said “…….the people did not vote for these clowns..” Then please tell me WHO did vote for them? Mind you 106 from UNP and 96 from UPLF. Also mark my words, if an election is held again, (even the Provincial) these “98.5% Literacy Rated” and “Rice Eating” voters will vote these same class of CLOWNS to manage our affairs. Just consider the way the people voted at the last General Election. Most of the so called “CLOWNS” who plundered our economy and swindled our resources were voted with huge majority of votes to the Legislature. They are NOT, “CLOWNS” as you say. I say they are “Brilliant” and “Master Crooks”. With the information we have already, see how BRILLIANTLY these so called “CLOWNS” have plundered our economy and LOOTED the money so much so that even the experts making investigations are unable to find out how these transactions have been carried out. The TECHNIQUES adopted have been so “Brilliantly” crafted. Yet they are able to PREY on the people and summon or haul them to large rallies and explain their VIRTUE and VALUES to regain power. So don’t class them as “CLOWNS”, because the PEOPLE will have some JOY of sending them to the Legislature, even at the expense of suffering hardships. Isn’t this what we are EXPERIENCING in this Miracle of Asia. So you can now assess who the real CLOWNS are. Are they the “BRILLIANT” and “MASTER CROOKS” dressed in those Parliamentary “Lilly White Dress Code” (see the picture accompanying this article) OR the “98.5% Literacy Rated” and “Rice Eating” voters of Sri Lanka?
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sr / March 27, 2016
It’s reasonable to have an extra vehicle in case of one being serviced but no need to give every one an extra
maintain an extra stock (of 25) so an MP can request when required.
Or use the private one and claim for that on time basis.
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Nuwan / March 27, 2016
Does anyone know what is the collateral for these currency swaps?
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Diogenes / March 27, 2016
Give them helicopters too!
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Plato. / March 27, 2016
Rome burned while Nero fiddled!
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thrishu / March 27, 2016
What is the justification for this extraordinary expense for a group of people that are already enjoying luxuries unimaginable for the vast majority of Sri Lankan citizens. This government has come into power with a promise of austerity: it is not ONLY for the common voters, it MUST also be for the overfed potbellied MPs, Ministers, PM and President as well. For F*** sake what is wrong with the greedy rulers and all the fake representatives of the people. Time we take them out en mass and shoot them in at dawn, figuratively speaking.
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Pygmalion / March 27, 2016
Edwin! You are back eh?
Your domestic told us that you have gone to the other world!
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MrRetort / March 28, 2016
We became MP’s to lead a comfort life, then the party and lastly the country. Public we need before the election. All we in parliament are experts to fool the public and SUHADA KOKA after winning. This we do election after election. They can’t escape from this whoever comes to power.
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Gune / March 28, 2016
What will they do with another Vehicle? Will their productivity as MPs increase by 100%? This is proof that Yahapalanaya has completely lost the plot. This is also further proof that SL politicians are all about themselves and literally do nothing for the people. Shame! on the administration and shame! on the MPs who will accept this gift from the gov at a tremendous cost to the people.
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laksiri / March 28, 2016
will yahapalanaye converts in to karry palanaya soon?????????? becuase it is now haft way and just passed 51%
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Hilmy Hamdoon / March 28, 2016
Even if the Rajapaksha Administration plunged the country into this current mess, this government simply cannot be blaming Rajapaksha for everything now. That time, that cushion, that comfort zone has long passed!
The current Finance minister is clearly incapable of discharging his duties as the minister in charge of the subject. Dr. Harsha Silva, perhaps would have done a better job but sadly he too is on the “Blame the Rajapaksha” band wagon with the rest!
Either way, it is obvious and it is confirmed that the country is in Deep Financial crisis on the very of Bankruptcy. With that known, what is the President and the Prime Minister doing by giving more and more vehicles and other perks to these people when the current administration has done little or nothing to create jobs and provide opportunities? Don’t these people have hearts ? Is all they want is our vote and then kicking us into the trash bin ?
Ranil was/is a known quantity, Sirisena wasn’t and hence the X-Positive-Factor that we all hoped but sadly I’m beginning to think that we all got taken for a Right-Royal-Ride especially with the President’s speech of yesterday that the “Country is not in Financial Crisis as the MR Factions says” !!!
Please Mr. President, we trusted you, we looked upto you and we are still with you but if this continues at this pace, for how long would be the Million-Dollar Question!
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Kalu Albert / March 28, 2016
Can we recommend these great patriot leaders to have all these Mercs updated to AMG please.
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mahinda / March 28, 2016
Why dont we get some wheel chairs.Old goons
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Leon / March 28, 2016
Parliament is full of looters, not politicians. President is ignorant dishonest individual who knows only party building.Ranil has
been the PM and was a disaster then.All the others are there for the kill.
We need a completely a new bunch with honesty for progress.
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