Beggars will ride on Ravi's resident visas: Wijeyadasa

14 January 2017 07:34 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday criticized Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake’s statement that temporary resident visas would be issued to foreigners who invest a minimum of US$300,000 in Sri Lanka.

He said such a move would only make way for beggars to enter Sri Lanka and added that the statement was issued by the finance minister without consulting the Cabinet.

“The finance minister has no right to take arbitrary decisions. Not even the President knows about this. We would have opposed such a proposal if it was submitted to the Cabinet,” the justice minister said.

He said US$300,000 was equivalent to Rs.45 million which is the amount spent to buy a luxury vehicle or just two perches of land in Colombo. “Providing privileges to foreigners who invest US$300,000 is absurd. We could encourage local investors, who are capable of investing Rs.45 million, instead. We have plenty of such investors in the country,” the justice minister said.

He expressed concern that terrorists and drug peddlers could also make their way into the country, if temporary resident visas were granted to foreigners who invest a minimum of US$300,000 in Sri Lanka. “This is a matter of serious concern,” the justice minister said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 16

Chux Saturday, 14 January 2017 08:20 AM

Pls draft a proper mechanism without critiquing like australia and Singapore we all know how fair you are for rajapaksha family and normal citizen

nick Saturday, 14 January 2017 08:23 AM

seriously this individual is poking his nose on all matters which shows like he want to be the lokka maybe eying on president candidateship people are fed up with dramas via DM Android App

Sha Saturday, 14 January 2017 08:28 AM

not a fly is coming here to invest due to the great economc policies of the govt. another great idea from the best finance minister of asia via DM Android App

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 14 January 2017 08:52 AM

Government distributing laughing materials .

MANSOOR Saturday, 14 January 2017 08:55 AM

Wijedasa right on the money. Proxy of JO within the government. He will boast great share of toppling present government to bring back wimal, mahindananda , Johnny like minded great leaders of the past.

dulan Saturday, 14 January 2017 09:15 AM

Surely he should bring this up at the next Cabinet meeting without telling the Press

Lionel Bopage Saturday, 14 January 2017 09:15 AM

How does Minister Rajapakshe assume that these resident visa investors (if any?) would only look for investing in Colombo? His government has proposed to create investment zones in many other provinces in Sri Lanka. Isn't that so?

Papajone Saturday, 14 January 2017 09:23 AM

I know my comments never get published. WR should be well aware that all our governments have been begging from other countries and financial institutions on a regular basis. Why does it now seem to be a shame??

Romesh Saturday, 14 January 2017 09:52 AM

Make the amount at least a million dollars and on a submission of a good feasibility report for a project

Sandun Saturday, 14 January 2017 10:57 AM

What a miracle of a country we are living in if even beggars here have 300,000 dollars!

Nelum Fernando Saturday, 14 January 2017 11:59 AM

Desperate measures by a desperate Finance Minister. What a shame!

Aj Saturday, 14 January 2017 12:31 PM

Mr Rajapaksha $300000 might be small amount for you but poor country like Sri Lanka it will better investment

Citizen Saturday, 14 January 2017 10:17 PM

$300,000 is insignificant when compared to the colossal amount of the bond scam

TONY Saturday, 14 January 2017 11:30 PM

DEAR MINISTER WR/ WHICH BEGGAR HAD US$ 300,000 TO INVEST. SAME INCENTIVE IS GIVEN IN MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE

kaboos Wednesday, 18 January 2017 03:27 PM

When MR was in power no cabinet ministers fought each other.. What ever said and done MR was strict .

Apun Friday, 20 January 2017 10:48 AM

For Mr. Rajamotte those with USD 300,000 are beggars. Wonder how much he has.

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Beggars will ride on Ravi's resident visas: Wijeyadasa

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