Expose Cocaine users without wasting time

Nalin tells Ranjan:  

• The opposition that once praised State Minister Ramanayake has now started criticising him after his comment that a majority of cocaine users were from the opposition

By Yohan Perera 

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake should produce the names of ministers and MPs who are in the habit of taking cocaine in a bid to close the case without further delay, Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara said yesterday. 

“The State Minister should produce the names of MPs who are consuming cocaine so that they could be probed accordingly. The government cannot afford to waste time talking of cocaine as there are many other things to be done. The cocaine issue has painted a wrong picture of Parliament. People now perceive it as a den of drugs and a place where MPs wrestle. This is downright wrong. This negative image should be cleared forthwith,” he told a media conference held yesterday. 

On a different note, Mr. Bandara said the opposition that once praised State Minister Ramanayake had now started criticising him after his comment that a majority of cocaine users were from the opposition. 

• says P’ment now perceived as den of drugs

Ready to abolish executive presidency: UNP

• Opposition changing its tune 

By Yohan Perera   

The United National Party (UNP) is geared up to abolish the executive presidency, Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara told a press conference held yesterday. 

He said this in response to recent reports that the joint opposition was preparing for the abolition of the executive presidency. 

“The opposition is changing its tune. It earlier said the unitary status of the country would be affected if the executive presidency were abolished.  However, its stance today is that the executive presidency needs to be replaced with a more powerful prime ministerial post,” he said. 

Its stance today is that the executive presidency needs to be replaced with a more powerful prime ministerial post