Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Debate on bond, PRECIFAC reports a gimmick: President

1 February 2018 05:58 am - 39     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The one-day Parliamentary debate on the Bond Commission’s report and the PRECIFAC report scheduled on February 6, is simply a ‘gimmick’ instead of a fruitful one, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.

In an interview with media personnel at his official residence, the President said this was a debate which should have taken place days ago and continued for days without a disruption.

“The debate was arranged even for a day prior to the local government election on February 10 because of the challenge I threw,” he said.

He also said the United National Party (UNP) should take the responsibility of failure to take action against the Rajapaksas over the charges levelled against them.

“When ministerial portfolios were allocated in the unity government, the portfolios which have an impact on taking legal action against wrongdoers were given to UNP Ministers. Therefore, the ministers who are in charge of the Law and Order, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Attorney General’s Department should take the responsibility,” he said.

“I’m the one who told to hold the debate prior to February 10. My request grew into a public opinion. Therefore, they had to take this up for a debate before 10. However, I’m not certain to which extent this debate will be successful. It is impossible to debate the contents of two reports within mere hours. On the other hand, I don’t believe at least 90 percent of MPs will show up for the debate. The debate should have been held before. Election propaganda activities will come to an end on February 7. All ministers and MPs will be engaged in propaganda activities in their respective wards on February 6 and 7. From that, how many will turn up for the debate? Even if they turned up, how many will engage in the debate productively? For how long one person will talk? This is not a debate which can be done in 5 to 10 minutes. This is deeper than that and complicated. The debate had been arranged in a hurried manner as a mere show to the country only because I made a challenge. The complete responsibility of not taking legal action against the Rajapaksas, should be taken by the Ministers who are holding the Police, the CID, the AG’s Department under their purview. I have told this before as well. Then, one may ask whether the same thing will happen to these commissions. It won’t because I’m the one who appointed Presidential Commissions. All the other things happened from 2015 were done by the respective ministries. The Anti-Corruption Secretariat office was at Temple Trees. (Ajantha Kumara Agalakada)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 39

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • concern Thursday, 01 February 2018 06:35 AM

    Mr. President,What are you going to do about it ?.

    Kumara Dharmarathne Thursday, 01 February 2018 06:49 AM

    Sir, first you challenged,when the challenge accepted,you say it's a gimmick. This is the way of a typical politician.

    city Thursday, 01 February 2018 07:20 AM

    Sir,your comment about the relevant ministers responsibility gives a bad impact on you Sir.being the head of the cabinet and the executive president plus head of defense you stand nowhere with this statement Sir.

    rew Thursday, 01 February 2018 09:15 AM

    Taken you three years to realise this!!!!

    Freddy Yong Thursday, 01 February 2018 11:29 AM

    Very true. That law and order clown should have been removed ages ago.

    James Ingram Thursday, 01 February 2018 07:49 AM

    Dear President . The issue is bonds by your yahpalanaya. Why is suddenly Rajapaksha fear coming to the conversation when elections are near ? All jimmicks.

    Why only now Thursday, 01 February 2018 07:53 AM

    It would have done a world of good if these concerns were voiced (by all) much earlier than waiting for the povincial election platforms now, to do so..

    Andy Capp Thursday, 01 February 2018 07:57 AM

    Aren't we all fools falling for all their gimmicks!!!?

    Jaliya Thursday, 01 February 2018 08:20 AM

    This is finger pointing for accumulating points to save his skin at last. Good leaders won't point fingers but stand up for the right cause.... we have seen it all during last three years. The direction of the wind that's where MS is going. For once can someone set up a good example without talking about what they did to get credit ?

    Kaboos Thursday, 01 February 2018 08:29 AM

    If these are gimmicks and your comments are comics

    Action Thursday, 01 February 2018 09:00 AM

    Hon Sir, please take a concrete action on CB scam. PLEASE USE YOUR EXECUTIVE POWERS.

    Vipula Thursday, 01 February 2018 09:21 AM

    Your comment is the best gimmick sir!You are the best politician ever seen.Please dont lose your credibility.

    Ambaleme Pinna Thursday, 01 February 2018 09:28 AM

    All these are gimmicks. Politicians always fool the idiotic public until the end of the elections. Once they get their votes the next step is to get as many from the other-side and get the numbers to form a government. Then all sides play fool and start robbing the same foolish public and their children's future. We will never learn and so sad.

    Raj Thursday, 01 February 2018 09:37 AM

    Reasonable concerns! On the day of the debate they will fight as to which report to be debated first!!

    Gim Fool Thursday, 01 February 2018 09:45 AM

    You said that you will appoint a commission to find Air Lanka corruptions in December 2017 . Not yet . So, Aren't we all fools falling for all their gimmicks!!!?

    Gim Thursday, 01 February 2018 09:49 AM

    Sir, Tell, who blamed to Ms. Dilrukshi former Bribery Commission head when she filed a case against GOTAbaya and then she resigned. We fools know ,Your double acting.

    Bala Thursday, 01 February 2018 09:58 AM

    Both UNP SLFP to blame as both jittery on their own wrongdoings. But Hon President should have acted on this matter long ago. Even now only talk.

    Labby Thursday, 01 February 2018 10:08 AM

    Wasn't it he who was shielding GR during the time of FCID investigations?

    Dee Thursday, 01 February 2018 10:14 AM

    Now don't go changing the election date or last minute change to preferential votes system . As usual utter chaos. Something good on the long run is done and you change a few days after implementation .

    sanipa Thursday, 01 February 2018 10:31 AM

    Was it not President Sirisena who castigated the Bribery Commissioner for filing action against some politicians as well as Service Personal . Was this the reason why she resigned . Thereafter do you think others will take action when the President changes things that are done as he has done many times .

    Bakaladasa Thursday, 01 February 2018 10:39 AM

    His CHESS is a big MESS now!:)

    Roi Thursday, 01 February 2018 10:52 AM

    Why do we need to have a parliamentary debate to take legal actions against fraudters? Is that the judiciary system in this country?

    GonBanis Thursday, 01 February 2018 11:03 AM

    Non of your statements, non of your challenges make sense mr. President. You're still talking like a grama sevaka. You only made the challenge on the debate to be taken before the polls and once it is accepted and to be proceed you're coming with a gimmik. UPFA 2018 election campaign has now become a utter failure and we only hear mud slinging at other parties but no plans or propaganda.

    Dr.Liyanage Thursday, 01 February 2018 11:08 AM

    Dear Mr.President, it is hard to believe that you were unaware of the CB bond scam, and other mass scale corruptions over the last 3 years.Were you not monitoring the situation of the country through many cabinet meetings and other progress meetings held so far? CB bond commission you have appointed is now challenged by PM through Marapona committee. It says nobody in the UNP is involved in it. Were you not aware that Commission was purposely avoiding deep questioning of UNP members?

    kingBarnet@pakisland Thursday, 01 February 2018 11:09 AM

    Punish Rajapakshas but that 96 should stand with.......

    Pottaya Thursday, 01 February 2018 11:21 AM

    Mr. President, I hope you understand what you are saying. As we see it, you are the president of this country and that means you are the head of the cabinet and your signature is required on every decision of the cabinet before those decisions become the law of the land. However, lately, you have been trying to convince us that you know nothing about any of the important decisions that your cabinet has made. Are you trying to play a practical joke on us? All we can say is we are neither fooled nor amused. Shame on you!

    Dr.Liyanage Thursday, 01 February 2018 11:25 AM

    Dear Mr.President, You have made a strong promise to citizens of this country that you catch thieves of the former regime and bring to book. For three years you have shaken your responsibility.99.9% population in SL are not lawyers.But they do have the common sense to understand who is involved in the bond scam. But the commission report finds them innocent according to Marapona.What steps you are going to take now to bring culprits to book. Do you have guts to expel PM from his post? Do you have guts to remove MR from SLFP for doing propaganda against you supporting "Pohottuwa"in public?What a shame!

    Ronnie Bugger Thursday, 01 February 2018 11:40 AM

    It now looks like you are with your back against wall fighting two common enemies - the UNP and the Jokers Organization. You are now openly throwing barbs at the UNP. Ranil proposed and you disposed the three ministers/enforcement agencies in question. So don't relent now.

    Sofia Thursday, 01 February 2018 12:26 PM

    By trying to appease UNP and mollycoddle Gota and MR at the beginning, you are now in a corner - a lame duck if I may say so.

    Samitha Thursday, 01 February 2018 12:27 PM

    Very Sad . Poor Leadership in Sri Lanka Politics.

    Brainmaster Thursday, 01 February 2018 12:27 PM

    But it was you who removed the Bribery Commissoner. via DM Android App

    renu Thursday, 01 February 2018 12:31 PM

    one should not be double tongue politician. you will be discarded soon

    Senewi Thursday, 01 February 2018 12:37 PM

    The president is trying to fish in troubled waters .

    Sincere Thursday, 01 February 2018 01:07 PM

    Yes Mr. President. We truly understand the real meaning of the word "Gimmick" today because we faced it so strongly in 2015.

    LAWRY Thursday, 01 February 2018 04:22 PM

    FAKE DONALD TRUMP!!!!

    ananda Thursday, 01 February 2018 04:40 PM

    This man is playing to the gallery typical of Polonnaruwa gimmicks. via DM Android App

    ananda Thursday, 01 February 2018 05:01 PM

    You kept the previous governments corruption reports with you for a long time expecting the JO to join you. But when it misfired you put it out for action. People are no fools. via DM Android App

    S.Sriranjan Thursday, 01 February 2018 06:42 PM

    In this Political Drama, Who is the Hero? Problem for this Government is How to investigate with a corrupted Hand? Everythings in the Hand of Voters! Act wisely!

    Vernon Thursday, 01 February 2018 10:29 PM

    What good has come from any of the parliament debates all these years? Nothing. Only some hot air at our expense. So this debate also will be no different.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H