Video: Granting US$1 Mn unconstitutional: Ex-CJ

30 November 1999 12:00 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Chief justice Sarath N. Silva said today it was illegal and unconstitutional to grant one million US dollars to Palestine without following the proper procedure to do so.

Mr. Silva said spending of one million US dollars by the Finance Ministry Secretary and the President as the Finance Minister had violated Section 148 of the Constitution.

“This amount of money had been spent outside budgetary allocations. If the government was spending any money beyond the budgetary allocations or appropriation Bill, they need to submit a special supplementary Bill in parliament. But in this instance the Finance ministry has not followed that procedure,” Mr. Silva said.

He said according to section 148 of the Constitution, the power to control public money was assigned to Parliament.

“In all the democratic countries such as India, England, America and Australia, financial control was vested in the Parliament. Public money cannot be spent by the executive as he pleases,’ Mr. Silva said.

He said Sri Lanka would have to cover this expense through another loan because the country’s economy was not on a sound footing.

“The government income is not sufficient to pay loan installments we have obtained. We will have to get another loan to pay back the one million US dollars,” he said. (Ajith Siriwardana and Indika Sri Aravinda)

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Comments - 20

gladwin Thursday, 21 August 2014 10:04 AM

MR is not violating the Patriot Act, He's violating the constitution

Rajaratnam Friday, 22 August 2014 10:26 AM

This man ruined the legal system when he was the CJ and talking nonsense now

Patrick Friday, 22 August 2014 11:50 AM

How about helping Hambanthota via DM Android App

George Friday, 22 August 2014 08:28 AM

Why dont you worry about our country via DM Android App

Jamalji Friday, 22 August 2014 01:39 AM

If you were in power, you would have intepreted it in other way

solico Friday, 22 August 2014 01:35 AM

here comes the common candidate

Minister Thursday, 21 August 2014 02:15 PM

Sir, Is your ruling that this it cannot be discussed in the media still valid?

Phantom Thursday, 21 August 2014 02:10 PM

[quote name="rosebud"]So what are we going to do about it -- impeach the President via DM Android App[/quote]
Just kick him out at the next Presidential elections!

WAC Thursday, 21 August 2014 10:15 AM

Helping Hambantota... is that constitutional?

lara Thursday, 21 August 2014 10:10 AM

1 million USD = 132 Million Rupees = two apartment from Colombo - 3 in Sri Lanka -
Why talk too much.

George Clooney Thursday, 21 August 2014 02:41 AM

Have you not heard, that everything in SL is unconstitunal, illeagal, corrupt and dangerious.

BBM Thursday, 21 August 2014 09:29 AM

That too unconstitutional, donation unbearable

rosebud Thursday, 21 August 2014 02:39 PM

So what are we going to do about it -- impeach the President via DM Android App

mountain Thursday, 21 August 2014 12:57 PM

01ml USD not from public fund and should from his own . Why do you bother sir did you help to get money to end the war. This is not the time you to talk but wait.....

kumar Thursday, 21 August 2014 06:44 AM

Government money is king's money.

Game Kolla Thursday, 21 August 2014 05:58 AM

If this person says something against president...it smells fishy

deshpremi Thursday, 21 August 2014 04:20 AM

No point giving 2cts worth retired hurt comments, go before SC & prove your point

kithudugama Thursday, 21 August 2014 02:52 AM

We are also dirt poor, flat broke, and heavily in debt.I can not understand how we can give a god damn terrorist US $ one million. This is abuse of power..

There are thousands of critically ill .patients dying as they do not have money to get basic health care.

To hell with Hamas terrorists. Israel should target them and wipe them out ,so the innocent Gaza civilians can live in peace.

Yatagama Thursday, 21 August 2014 02:46 AM

Yes. Having a love affair with a woman and saying that "we discussed a legal matter" to the Police is constitutional. Getting loans to pay loans is a widely accepted practice in the business world. This is called getting from Peter and giving to Paul.

kithudugama Thursday, 21 August 2014 02:41 AM

Who will give Hamas terrorists money.?? They provoked Israel and got a fitting response.. Innocent civilians had to suffer..

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Video: Granting US$1 Mn unconstitutional: Ex-CJ

Comments - 20

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