UNP will never defend thieves: Akila

4 June 2018 07:46 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The United National Party (UNP) will at no time defend thieves, Party General Secretary and Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

He said this in response to a question asked by journalists at to what the party intended doing with regard to the UNPers who were alleged to have obtained money from Perpetual Treasuries owner Arjun Aloysius .

“We will not defend thieves but one must be not label anyone as a thief until it is proven that they have stolen money,” the minister said at a media briefing yesterday.

When asked who would be the UNP candidate at the next presidential election, he said the party would field its leader as the candidate.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said some of the key points in the UNP policy of creating a wealthy nation have been picked up by former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and had included it in his Viyath Maga programme. He criticized Mr. Rajapaksa for saying he did not own a house in Kataragama because an electricity bill has been addressed to his name.

State Minister Harsha De Silva said there was a difference between a social market economy and a socialist market economy which Mr. Rajapaksa has talked about.

“Some have got mixed up with the economic programme. UNP policy is to maintain a social market economy and make Sri Lanka a hub of the Indian Ocean. Under the 2030 programme of Mr. Rajapaksa is to create socialist market programme based on competitiveness. Socialist market is a concept started by China. We talk of private sector being an engine of growth. Private sector includes SMEs, farmers, tuition masters and also large companies. In a social market economy one of the main factors is the market efficiency and social protection. In China enterprises are owned by Communist Party in China. Profits of enterprises in China go to the communist party. Is Mr. Rajapaksa going to hand over state enterprises to a political party,” the state minister said. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 17

Premalal Monday, 04 June 2018 07:57 PM

How about Ravi K who got caught with his hands inside the till?

Unchikun Monday, 04 June 2018 08:05 PM

Yes, the UNP does not need to defend thieves. You guys all fall into the same category. The next presidential candidate is your leader. I am now considering to contest for the post.

Jagath Leanage Monday, 04 June 2018 08:10 PM

We saw that . By the way where is Arjuna Mahendran ?

Ceylon Monday, 04 June 2018 08:11 PM

Then jail bond thieves.rajapaksa thieves.

ANTON Monday, 04 June 2018 08:22 PM

BECAUSE THE THIEVES CONCERNED ARE YOUR BEST FRIENDS AND PARTY SUPPORTERS.

Sunil Monday, 04 June 2018 08:29 PM

They have already done so, in no small measure and will continue to do so.

Karthik. Monday, 04 June 2018 08:43 PM

Well said, We must be very pround to live in this country as there are no thieves here for you to defend. Since you all came to power you have not found thieves so far.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 05 June 2018 08:58 AM

Super comment Karthik... hope this monkey understands the insult behind what u state.

Gamaya Monday, 04 June 2018 08:44 PM

How come R K who got a 5 star apartment free from PTL is still your Assistant Leader? Ado hooo!

Haramanis Monday, 04 June 2018 09:10 PM

A press conference about the Rajapaksa's - obsession obsession!!!

Jaliya Tuesday, 05 June 2018 08:38 AM

Enough bull .... how can you defend every person in the party ? After all the drama (PCoI) reports commissions panels wasted time and money .... yet Ravi K is still serving happily as a MP .... What do you call that NOT DEFENDED HIS POSITION ?

sobers Tuesday, 05 June 2018 08:54 AM

Yes you will not defend the thieves instead you'll are saving them.

Nadaal Tuesday, 05 June 2018 09:23 AM

This Mangala is so obsessed with Gota he seems to be throwing some stone everytime he gets the chance. Sick

Waco Tuesday, 05 June 2018 09:44 AM

This man is suffering from a superior complex, same as his master.

Dhammika Tuesday, 05 June 2018 11:31 AM

UNP in 2015 canvassed to come to power saying LOOTERS and THIEVES will be caught and the money will be recovered . 3 Years since then NONE had been caught nor any money recovered . In the effective BUDGET taxes have been increased in some circumstances by 100% . So it seems the LOOTERS and THIEVES are not affected at all and roam around FREELY , the people who elected this government will pay the looted sum in the form of TAXES.

Amaris Tuesday, 05 June 2018 03:18 PM

You don't need to defend when all are thieves....

big mama Wednesday, 06 June 2018 12:37 PM

No thieves means no UNP

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UNP will never defend thieves: Akila

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