MR as PM in Sirisena Govt will boost SL : Gotabaya

22 April 2015 03:32 am - 59 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka’s once powerful Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, wants President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to join hands to give the island nation a “functioning government” and lift it from the abyss of political confusion and economic stagnation.

“Maithripala Sirisena has been elected President for six years. Therefore, he will have to continue. But he can quickly call for parliamentary elections and appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. Together, they should put the country back on its feet by providing a functioning government with people committed to achieving goals,” Gotabaya told Express in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.

A sibling of Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya claimed that Sri Lankans want Rajapaksa back. “Support for him has grown beyond the 5.8 million votes he got in the January Presidential election,” he said.

Sri Lankans are clueless as to who is in charge of their country, Gotabaya observed.

“On the one hand there is Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is running the government. But on the other hand, Chandrika Kumaratunga, Champika Ranawaka and Rajitha Senaratne also claim to be in-charge. However, what is clear to the people is that there is no functioning government. All economic development projects initiated by the Rajapaksa government have been brought to a standstil. In the construction sector alone, over 100,000 workers have been rendered jobless by the stoppage of projects,” he pointed out.

Because officials are being hauled up before investigative agencies for alleged “procedural lapses”, no civil servant wants to take decisions. “If this situation is allowed to continue, the entire economy will collapse and it will be difficult to put it back on its feet,” he warned.

Gotabaya, who has been asked to appear before the Bribery Commission later this month, dismissed the charges against him as being baseless. “I have been accused of procedural lapses. Have I robbed money? In fact, I have earned money, including foreign exchange, for the government through my projects,” he asserted.

On the alleged illegal activities of the “floating armory” set up by a company wholly owned by the Ministry of Defence, Gotabaya said that it was engaged in anti-piracy work in the Somalian waters as per a UN request.

“It was an international obligation Lanka had to fulfil. And the company was earning foreign exchange for the country. It had also been held up as a model by an international maritime security body based in UK,” he said.

The former Secretary for Defence and Urban Development said that he had not only won the war against the Tamil Tigers but had given a new face to Colombo, both not done by previous regimes. “The present government is after me for delivering results. Sarath Fonseka claimed in India that he won the war. But I say, he was in the army for 30 years, but had failed to win the war. It was only when we (the Rajapaksa brothers) took over, that the war was finished, and that too, in three years flat. Chandrika Kumaratunga claims that she had won 75 per cent of the war, but it was during her Presidency that there were major reverses,” Gotabaya recalled.

The Lankan government on Tuesday gave into the Opposition’s agitation demanding that ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa should not be summoned by the Bribery Commission. Wijedasa Rajapaksa, minister for justice, told parliament that a commission officer will visit Rajapaksa’s house and take a statement from him instead. The Opposition’s position is that Rajapaksa could not be taken to court or be questioned for an action he took as President as the President enjoys immunity for his official acts. Rajapaksa had appointed a defector from the Opposition as a cabinet minister during the last Presidential poll campaign. This was deemed as corruption.(Indian Express)

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Comments - 59

leo Wednesday, 22 April 2015 11:03 AM

Manel you must come out from your hole

Count Down Time Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:20 AM

he was not selected by people and being a MP to advice to president. Again he wants to come into politics, for enjoying white van, killing of good jurnelist, steal dollars. Because he can not go to USA also because of LTTE will give a soup for all what he did the on the spot

CH Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:23 AM

Pls. dont bring the thugs, corrupt GOVT. back the present GOVT. is doing a good job thanks.

Farook Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:25 AM

That includes the UNPers as well. Our masses are to be blamed for bringing the corrupted to the fore and then be under obligation to them!

Maya Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:28 AM

Then, you will find a way for him to become President again, like DBW after Premadasa.

senakak Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:33 AM

A great idea and a productive proposal.

Daya Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:33 AM

good or bad people rejected MR for a reason. country never ever depend on individuals so do MR. via DM Android App

Premalal Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:37 AM

It will boost some but certainly not the country, going by the recent experience

Madlin Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:34 AM

To continue robbing our money again via DM Android App

kumara senarath Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:41 AM

Why they could not make MS, PM when they were in office.

zimbie Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:54 AM

REMEMBER THIEVES WILL SUPPORT THIEVES.WE DONT NEED MR AGAIN

Chandra Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:53 AM

What his view is correct as nothin has happened during last three months other than giving concessions to people. To give concession to people there should be development. Without any development what will happen to the future Do we have to depend on GSP only via DM Android App

John Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:57 AM

This comment is shared by all those like me, who are offering thanks for the Divine intervention to restore democracy and PEACE to SL after many years of darknes and gloom - lets not bring back that frightening era for the benefit of sinister politicians!

MADUKRM22 Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:59 AM

Then you can once again make all of us dance to your tune. No way !! We had enough of you for past 10 years !!

dulan Wednesday, 22 April 2015 11:00 AM

We have tasted democracy after years. Now even less people like MR

no need Just shhutpup Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:17 AM

WHO IS HE TO ADVICE TO PRESIDENT. WITHOUT PEOPLE SELECTION, HE WAS GIVEN A POST BY PREVIOUS KING CANCER. SO HE WAS WORKING AS AN EMPLOYEE AS DEFENSE SECTARY FOR THE COUNTRY thats all.

s kalpage Wednesday, 22 April 2015 11:06 AM

Government servants are provided with procedural rules to comply to prevent frauds. Decisions can be taken within the procedural rules if necessary.

chux Wednesday, 22 April 2015 11:49 AM

No way .....no way ....no way......this is our country we want live very peacefully

Damien Wednesday, 22 April 2015 11:50 AM

MR must be executive PM not just PM

Lal Wednesday, 22 April 2015 11:51 AM

But nobody can Sri Lanka from white vans then.

Sritharan Wednesday, 22 April 2015 11:52 AM

Well, this seem to be promising , In such case there would be a more legitimate path for the government to run with projects ongoing and the president having is eyes on corruption.

Abraham Wednesday, 22 April 2015 11:54 AM

We had enough of this, Now dissolve the goddamn parliament!!!! These thugs are destabilising this government by protesting at Parliament complex.

Gobba Wednesday, 22 April 2015 11:54 AM

And allow MR and Co. to get away with what they did and allow them to plunder and pillage more. No way Sir, maybe there is something in it for you. But for the ordinary folk we dont want to look behind our shoulders for WHITE VANS.

chanda pala Wednesday, 22 April 2015 12:05 PM

Yes, see those failed projects like Arcade, Floating market etc. wasting millions of public money.

Nande Wednesday, 22 April 2015 01:53 PM

Gotas day dreams.......... via DM Android App

JAYA Wednesday, 22 April 2015 01:57 PM

this is a playing with fire and maybe impeachment will be place against MS.

rajarathnam Wednesday, 22 April 2015 05:51 PM

why sir, your sharks are in hunger with out food.?

menhage Wednesday, 22 April 2015 06:35 PM

Foxy word. My3 is not a fool to believe such statement.

Rhonda Thursday, 23 April 2015 12:33 PM

That will be the end of Sri Lanka.Feeling the pinch now Gota???Trying to throw your fishing line again?No way people are not stupid anymore

M.O.A.Careem Thursday, 23 April 2015 04:22 PM

very good idea of H.P politics turn over night?

Waco Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:48 AM

Gota is very correct. That is the best that should happen.

Nimal Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:21 AM

Why you want to start your dance again?

Shan Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:26 AM

There should be common policies to allow only educated, clean-charactered, uncorrupted people to contest in politics. No chance should be given to former Presidents and PM to contest.

malik Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:30 AM

He must be joking,laughter of the day !

Manel Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:32 AM

Oh my god!! Mr. President and authorities of SLFP please, please do not even dream of bringing back THUGS, murderers, rapists, bribe givers and takers and corrupted unholy politicians ever into any form of politics in SL.

CLIVE Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:33 AM

Mr. GR, your thinking is grate and we should find a mechanism to implement it. Your involvement in such a joint operation is also eminent.

Gontabh Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:37 AM

hik hik hik

Love Lanka Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:38 AM

Good article... people before you start asking him to mind his business please read the article. GR as a secretary for 2 Ministries did more work than any Minister in the history of this country. The war was finished, SF was not even the Army commander for Majority of the period, it was under Nanda M whilst SF was being treated in Singapore. Colombo is a more beautiful city, GR put in place processes to ensure that work got done on a timely manner. We salute you Sir, please keeping working for this country. Good people of Lanka will always appreciate what you have done for this country.

S.Sriranjan Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:38 AM

Very Ideal choice for an executive Prime Minister with Gotabaya Rajapaksha as Finance Minister???

Dutchy Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:39 AM

The only way to get out of this political crisis for Sirisena govt. is to join hands with MR. Such combination has much potential to boost Sri Lanka economically as well as democratically.

Kautilya Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:40 AM

Dreaming

I mad Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:39 AM

He wants the white van culture back. via DM Android App

Punchi Singho Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:45 AM

In a land of crooks he was one of the clean people. He may not have always followed regulations but he delivered results. What he says is right. Yahapalanaya right now is no palanaya

Nande Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:42 AM

Srilankans dosent want MR & thats why 51.08% reg. voters rejected him. via DM Android App

Bandara Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:45 AM

Looks like joking?

Dilshi Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:21 AM

You should have thought of this when your brother was in power. now it is too late.

max Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:48 AM

Yes very good and practical idea. But beyond anything else, Mr GR, you should be the in charge of national security once again. And the urban development. Since CBK is controlling most of the things currently, all these are just dreams.

victor Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:49 AM

Good statement from him. He is very right in few. Cant disagree on 1) The Govt has no VISION 2) We are heading towards bankruptcy 3) NO foreign direct investments 4) We lost the investor confidence due to halting the projects 5) NO effective cabinet 6) President and Prime Minister are honest and genuine but they are ineffective 7) One minority Party complains of CHEATED where as otherer Minority Parties take advantage of the situation ( Check cabinet combination) .The way it goes MR coming back is INEVITABLE.

MightyAnt Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:51 AM

Ha Ha Ha! You have got is all mixed up or are a novice at political science. To work together, you have to have the same principals. MR and MS are poles apart.

Nirman Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:58 AM

“The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.” -Niccolò Machiavelli

Matilda Ellepola Wednesday, 22 April 2015 09:59 AM

haha.. good one and day dreaming.... this whole clan should be in Welikada soon if this country have a thing called Law and Order.

Sasanka Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:02 AM

some good news at last

Andrew Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:03 AM

Mr. Gotabaya your brother the Ex President had 10 years in power what did he do??? he only swindled tax payers money and gave his family including you and his crooks a wealthy life. What have you got to say now regarding good governance. Hon R. Wickramsinghe is a better Prime Minister and this government has shown in their 100 day programme the success they have bestowed specially the profits from Bank of Ceylon . Today their is freedom of speech, freedom to media, freedom to the common man instead of being kidnapped by white vans. All you people in the previous government only plundered the nation at least now we see the stupid Night Races stopped all this was done on whose expense for a joy ride of a kid. You emerged from no where and now try to claim credit for the work you have done your past duties were a zero. So I kindly request you instead of misusing the free media to highlight your dogmatic appeal in favor of your brother to go and ask god forgiveness before he sends to hell

podimalli Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:00 AM

innocent he didnt make any money . everything from his father via DM Android App

Ganesha Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:08 AM

This poisonous man is day dreaming now forgetting what he had done when he abused his authority more than necessary in a tyrannical way and feels the masses are asses and he is the genius in his world of his own .What a humbug he is? International think tank.

ANTON Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:09 AM

AS USUAL THEY ARE DAY DREAMING............

WENo NeedFamily RuleAgain Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:14 AM

just shut up we are fed up of your family rule

ANTON Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:16 AM

NEXT TIME HE WILL SAY , GR AS MINISTER OF DEFENSE IN MY 3 GOVERNMENT , WILL INVADE USA.

Nadraj Wednesday, 22 April 2015 10:16 AM

Why now ? MR was president and MS was HIS minister !

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MR as PM in Sirisena Govt will boost SL : Gotabaya

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