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I’ll downsize cabinet to 20: Mahesh Senanayake

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24 October 2019 11:12 pm - 14     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Army Commander and National People’s Party presidential candidate Gen. Mahesh Senanayake said he would bring the cabinet to 20 under his government.

He expressed these views at the launch of his National People’s Party ’s election manifesto at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute today.

Gen. Senanayake said the fundamental substance of his manifesto is to create one country and to establish one and equal law to all in the country.

“Every cabinet minister is entitled to work with a sense of financial discipline,” he said.   

He said the political culture of the past 71 years did not lead the country to march ahead but backwards. That culture did not make any progressive strategy to develop the country.

“That’s the very reason why I came forward as an independent candidate representing NPP to make a change in the country,” Senanayake added.

“I pledge my full commitment and responsibility to draft constitutional and legislative changes that are required to make these changes and I am committed to serving the nation - not to rule the nation,” he added.

The tenfold pledge is as follows,
 
1. Maximise national resources, strengthen agriculture and local production and develop a sustainable export-based economy.

2. Through proper economic management, increase per capita income and reduce poverty.

3. Implement a national programme to build a disciplined, secure and undivided Sri Lanka, free of fear.

4. One and equal law for the whole country.

5. Through an education system that adapts to the changes in the world, empower our youth, and encourage entrepreneurship.

6. Create a society which empowers women, and ensures women are treated with utmost dignity and respect.

7. Pay special attention to children, senior citizens, and people with special needs.

8. A meritocratic social environment, where the right persons are appointed to the right positions.

9. A public service that is empowered by the latest technology, efficient, highly respected and corruption-free.

10. A non-aligned international policy that puts Sri Lanka's interest to the fore. (Sheain Fernandopulle)


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  Comments - 14

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  • True Justice Friday, 25 October 2019 02:48 AM

    Also resurrect the බල්ලට ගිය සුද්දගෙ නීතිය . Clean the corrupt Judiciary. Make it FULLY INDEPENDENT. Introduce COMPLIANCE and ensure tax revenue is strictly collected. Many including some "Professionals" and Politicians do NOT pay proper taxes. Some lawyers do cash transactions unaccounted for. Make all politicians to declare their assets and DEMAND them to pay back all the assets of the nation stolen to be handed in within 3 months. This should be an ABSOLUTE PRIORITY.

    M. Chandra Jayawardena Friday, 25 October 2019 04:41 AM

    If you are boring without a job, go and find one instead of wasting public funds and resources which we cannot bear at all.

    Jaffna Logic Friday, 25 October 2019 04:43 AM

    Yours is a simple and clear manifesto but it is also very powerful. You may not win this time but stick around as you have higher chance of becoming a strong mainstream Politician or even a President in the future.

    Dil Perera Friday, 25 October 2019 06:55 AM

    Mr Candidate: Are you confident that you will have more than 20 votes?

    hoodwinker Friday, 25 October 2019 07:00 AM

    In Canada it is only 24-28 Same population I don't have to give the stats of square footage

    Anthony Friday, 25 October 2019 07:56 AM

    Will the 20 ministers have backup defenders and STF personnel who make a nuisance to the public travelling on the roads

    Dev Friday, 25 October 2019 08:21 AM

    How? Under 19A PM proposes the cabinet and you just have to sign it. Since you went public that you will keep Ranil as PM it is very unlikely that he will propose a 20 head cabinet.

    SLFP for Mahesh Friday, 25 October 2019 09:37 AM

    You have our wholehearted support ,General Sir

    Ishan Fernando Friday, 25 October 2019 10:04 AM

    Mahesh has literally taken pieces from the Peoples' constitution proposed by Nagananda Kodituwakku. The president does not have the power to enact this level of system change (under the 19th amendment) without changing the constitution significantly - that is why we need a new one. Something that will never happen under the current parliament (why would the 225 vote to loose their jobs and perks) that is why Nagananda proposed the direct democracy concept - get the people to directly vote for a new constitution vs using this evidently broken representative democracy system. No one can argue against this, the people are the supreme authority of the country. I don't understand why these candidates cant grasp this concept. Nagananda stood for the people and his efforts were shamefully blocked, also NPM executives blocked NK's nomination - I wont forget that.

    Leo Friday, 25 October 2019 10:24 AM

    Mr. Candidate we can remember our beloved president MY3 making the same promises, but alas, taste power and the promises are forgotten. However you may get a few votes as this time most people want to vote for the person they hate the least, as the main runners are a joke.

    Ann Friday, 25 October 2019 10:38 AM

    All the best. Its a good start. Even if you lose and get few votes, your top opponents too are going to lose a few from their votes too.

    Simon Friday, 25 October 2019 11:27 AM

    Love your idea but it is only illusion. If you want to do something for our country find something else. To be a politician you've got long way ahead besides you are too precious to live among the wicked. Wish you success in your endeavors.

    Andrew Silva Friday, 25 October 2019 12:22 PM

    It's a good idea Mr. Senanayake but will you be able to do it with all this competition. The first cabinet of this country had 20 ministers and that's how it should have been right along. Now there are over 40 ministers receiving " Ping Padi". Poor people's money stacked in their Bank Accounts.

    kumar Friday, 25 October 2019 12:35 PM

    Yes. He can give any promises like making Sri Lanka as Singapore in one day without any hesitation as he has zero chances of winning.


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