Come out of ‘Frog in the Well’ thinking - Mangala tells Wimal

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday invited joint opposition stalwart Wimal Weerawansa to obtain copies of ACSA, SOFA and MMC agreements and studies them, if possible. 

“If my erstwhile friend Wimal makes a request for a copy of these agreements, I would give him one gladly and also explain it to him. He is not a stranger to me because he used to visit me in the good old days and had a nice time partaking in wild boar meat (wal uru mas). I am sorry to witness that he makes a lot of fabrications and misinterpretations on the SOFA, ACSA and MCC. But I don’t know whether he could read or understand these agreements because of the lies he spread on them. Not only that, I suspect whether he has good knowledge in Sinhala,” Minister Samaraweera said in a lighter vein.

"Why this jealousy? Why this ‘Frog in the Well’ thinking? The US is one of the biggest importers of Sri Lankan apparel, garments and other products. The EU is also one of our biggest investors and importers. What will happen if the GSP+ and fish exports were banned by the US and EU from Sri Lanka? What would be the situation of Sri Lankan families if we were denied our foreign income?” he queried.

Minister Samaraweera in a sarcastic tone said all US and EU bashing politicians of the JO become subservient and weak-kneed when they seek help from the US, EU or any other western country.

“Wimal goes to US Disneyland when he wants to enjoy a holiday and Vasu’s children study and live in the US. All JO members cannot stand the close relationship cultivated by the government with the US, EU, and other developed countries and the benefits obtained from these countries to Sri Lanka. They think it is disadvantageous to them, Minister Samaraweera charged. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)