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Last Updated : 2024-03-28 22:13:00
Science and Technology Minister and JHU General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka today said he and Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gammanpila would resign from their ministerial positions and remain as JHU representatives of the UPFA.
At a special news conference in Colombo, former Minister Ranawaka said the party Central Committee had on Monday unanimously decided that the JHU members should resign from government portfolios.
Earlier on Monday JHU Chairman Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera resigned from the Chairmanship of the Divulapitiya Divisional Development Committee which comes under the purview of the Economic Development Ministry.
Though the members had given up their government portfolios, the JHU would continue to function as a part of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
“Whatever decisions we take in the future will be based on JHU principles and policies and will not be directed by UPFA directives,” he said.
The former minister said the JHU was compelled to take this decision because the UPFA Government and the incumbent President had failed to fulfill the promises given to the people.
“The Mahinda Rajapaksa manifestoes at the 2005 and the 2010 presidential elections had pledged to prune the powers of the executive presidency, but this had not happened so far. The failures during the first term of the presidency could be justified because of the war situation in the country but there was adequate opportunity to fulfill the promises at least during the second term,” he said.
The former minister said the JHU pledged its allegiance to the President based on several conditions including the reduction in the powers of the executive presidency and that the party had recently submitted a set of proposals under 35 points with the objective of building a better country.
The proposals included a president who was answerable to parliament, an independent judiciary and a cabinet comprising 20 to 25 ministers were among the JHU proposals submitted to the Government.
“The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) response to the JHU proposals is not satisfactory. The powers of the executive presidency must be reduced if we are to support the Government,” the former minister said.
He said the Government’s development projects and plans were not durable and accused some bureaucrats of influencing the decisions taken by the government in a negative manner.
The former minister said the party had not taken any hasty decision to join the opposition or to support a common candidate but said the JHU was prepared to discuss its proposals with any political party that wished to do so.
“We invite others to come and join us,” he said.
While extending good wishes to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his birthday, JHU Leader Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera said the crucial decision of the JHU was a birthday present to the President.
“The JHU as a sincere friend of the President brought him a birthday present. We hope the President will be enlightened with the foresight,” the Thera said.
He said only a best friend will praise the good deeds and point out the wrongdoings of a person.
“King Mahasen is being worshipped even today as a deity because he accepted the opinion of the people. We like to remind President Rajapaksa that we are not his rivals or are challenging him. We are only showing him the right path as friends,” he said.
Party Chairman Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said they might have to face difficulties in the wake of the decision taken yesterday but pointed out that they had nothing to fear.
“As Buddhist monks, we have overcome the fear of death. We have nothing to fear now. We are trying to save the President from the possible danger he might fall into. No matter how good a person is there is always the chance of becoming power hungry when appointed as executive president,” he said.
Meanwhile, JHU Assistant General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila said it was unlikely that the President will prune the powers of the executive presidency in the future.
“The President didn’t reduce the powers of the executive presidency though he said he would in his manifestos. Therefore a sensible person should not believe that it would happen the next time,” he said.
WATCH
niss Tuesday, 18 November 2014 05:15 PM
We salute you JHU.
ranjith Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:18 PM
Hats off to you JHU. Please take action now to save the country and its reputation among international community. We are with you.
palitha rajapaksa Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:20 PM
We need a change for good governance, minimum corruption, free media, independent judiciary, free and fair elections and write and live without fear should be able to constructive criticism we have lost all these under MR regime.
prdeep Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:21 PM
Very rare incident in Sir Lanka Current politics, must have great courage to do do this. Good Luck !
dhammikaweerakoon Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:28 PM
well done,Excellent Birthday gift to mahindafirst Nandana,,second,Ratana thero,therd patalli and udaya.........................well done
willows Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:30 PM
well dome
upul Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:31 PM
Bravo!!!!
Kola Gal Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:38 PM
Excellent Birthday gift to His Excellency (sinhala his (empty) :)
Nicole Phillips Tuesday, 18 November 2014 04:41 PM
if they really had spines they would have quit the UPFA given that it is a UPFA government that they are saying is corrupt.The JHU resigning from the UPFA is not going to have a significant impact on the majority that the UPFA enjoys.
Elakiri Tuesday, 18 November 2014 04:46 PM
Elakiri, there are more in the row, possibly Rauf Hakim and his team, and Some other Ministers closed to Madam Chandrika.
panditha Tuesday, 18 November 2014 04:53 PM
good move, great great
BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 18 November 2014 05:09 PM
When the ship starts to sink, the rats are the first to start jumping out.
sulaiman Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:17 PM
We salute to you Good decision timely Irrespective to political religious situation prevail in the country immediate change in ruling system vital for our future united Sri lanka We salute to you Ven RAYNASARA THERO
TONY Tuesday, 18 November 2014 05:17 PM
ALAS, SOME ACTION. GOOD TO KEEP UP TO YOUR WORD. BUT WONDER WHY SUPPORT UPFA STILL
isuru alawatte Tuesday, 18 November 2014 05:30 PM
Great sir, great move.....we appreciate it.....As u correctly said there should be a BODU apekshaka...rather than podu apekshaka...
Sam Gamage Tuesday, 18 November 2014 10:22 PM
I first strongly commend your decision which is actually for the best interest of all Sri Lankans. Thanks Hon. Rathana Hamuduruwo and Sirs!Now you must prepare yourself for counter attacks from all possible "most sophisticated political strategies" that this corrupt government might use to negate your argument. Please think of it. I am sure it is now, after this moment, you have the "real challenge" to face and counter-attacks from this unbelievably corrupt and " tribal government" and rescue the innocent people of this wonderful country from the clutches of this "clan". If you do it, you will be in "golden writings of our modern Mahawamsa".
sanjeewa Tuesday, 18 November 2014 10:28 PM
All those resigns get ready to go to Jail!!!
Sam Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:06 PM
Way to go
Bala Wednesday, 19 November 2014 12:40 AM
Correct
chamika Wednesday, 19 November 2014 05:29 AM
you are great heroes
Nimal Wednesday, 19 November 2014 06:06 AM
budu saranai.. rata jathiya wenuwen negeesitinna...api oba samagai
Roshan Wednesday, 19 November 2014 12:47 PM
great move! good advise and example for bloody corrupted politicians. no worry. we r with u sir.
luckyweeramantry Wednesday, 19 November 2014 01:13 PM
Yes Udaya And Champika Have Done The Right Thing. They Should Pull Out Completely And Sit With The Opposition
Mubeen Wednesday, 19 November 2014 01:43 PM
Right Or wrong u prove it , Independent party
Azee Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:38 AM
They will remain ind via DM Android App
Bandara Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:22 AM
I really value the stance taken by JHU. In a time when dirty politicians trade their allegiance for money and positions, JHU has taken a policy decision to safeguard democracy. I hope UNP will now agree to forward a common opposition candidate acceptable to entire opposition.
Bababoo Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:24 AM
Has the cookie started to crumble , nice
Mason Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:24 AM
Good to hear this. It should be translated positively for the benefit of the country, ending family nepotism.
chamal Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:23 AM
srilankan hope via DM Android App
Sandakelum Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:25 AM
Good Move!
palitha kulasinghe Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:25 AM
Ape rata apita utum palaweniyata MR thunn wenuvata
de silva Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:28 AM
A very wise decession,but too late.However the others who wants to leave the government should now decide rather than waiting so that the Government will understand that the road they are now going is the wrong one.
Nihal Amarasekera Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:30 AM
Heading in the right direction but not to fall prey.
Man Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:32 AM
Very good. But the problem will be the facilities to be provided for the poor in the election manifesto of the common candidate and must be better than the recent budget proposals to win an election in the presence of an international observer in front of the Election Commissioner during the time, election results are released. That is to avoid the stress of Election Commissioner unlike last time.
Chryshan Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:34 AM
Wow birthday presents.
gramasevaka Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:36 AM
good move. hope you can do what UNP cannot. via DM Android App
Lession for king Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:19 AM
Good move ... This is a good lesson for king
Azee Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:40 AM
They will sit as Independents but will support the Govt. via DM Android App
vaidy s Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:47 AM
They should actively locate a non political President acceptable to all communities in Sri Lanka to do away with Presidential rule
chux Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:49 AM
Hats off JHU...you can not sit with most corrupt government in the history of our nation
Ayesh Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:50 AM
We salute you.Time has come to end this regime.I still regret the vote I cast for MR aka Game Baiya for his 2nd term.
yakka Tuesday, 18 November 2014 11:53 AM
Excellent Birthday gift to mahinda
Sam Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:05 PM
Hats Off! - Right or Wrong, Men with principles!!
gamini Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:10 PM
My Birthday wishes via DM Android App
Common Thinker Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:13 PM
Nice birth day Gift to the King ...Now the pressure is mounting thats why we say "TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING GOOD FOR NOTHING
isuru Silva Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:14 PM
At least some people who have their spinal code
gamini Tuesday, 18 November 2014 12:15 PM
The common candidate should be non party New president should hold the post until the Executive matter solved. When the parlimental election comes next year the powerful prime minister can be choosen from winning party. Thats the way it should go ahead. via DM Android App
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