Country did not suffer without GSP+: MR

12 January 2017 08:23 am - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Saying that it was good to regain the GSP+ facility, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that the country had not been adversely affected by losing the facility.

“It is good to regain the GSP+ facility. It is good if they think the country will benefit from it. We did not suffer any loss even without it,” he said.

Mr. Rajapaksa told the media, after he visited former minister Wimal Weerawansa in Welikada prison, that he had met the Chinese Ambassador yesterday and discussed the government’s move to hand over land in Hambantota to a Chinese company.

“I met the Chinese Ambassador and had cordial discussion about the taking over of ancestral lands belonging to the people of Hambantota. He listened attentively and we hope it will be successful,” he said.

“This protest is not against China; it is against the government taking over land occupied by the people. I requested the Chinese government to invest in Sri Lanka and send Chinese tourists here when I visited China,” he said. (Ajith Siriwardana)

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Comments - 23

Ananda Mangala Munasinghe Thursday, 12 January 2017 11:32 AM

It's your imagination that country 's economy did not suffer without GSP .But in reality more than 500 garment factories were closedown since 2005 ! How many would have lost their jobs? After all country's image?How much we lost as our fish catch did not go the huge EU market ?

Pradeep Thursday, 12 January 2017 11:32 AM

Yes you are correct. We have a foreign currency surplus in our country. Our exports are more than our imports. We don't take loans from IMF and world bank instead they take loans from us. How can we suffer without GSPplus. How many garment factories were closed withoutas result of loosing GSP plus. I think as the former president you should understand this

Daminda Thursday, 12 January 2017 12:14 PM

Is robbing part of "our values"?

apun Thursday, 12 January 2017 12:27 PM

If "It is good to regain the GSP facility" then why did we "not suffer any loss even without it". Your statements are too shallow, MR.

Sri Lnakan Thursday, 12 January 2017 12:47 PM

Peoples in this country are not eating grass.

Banda Thursday, 12 January 2017 01:03 PM

What values? White vans?

Kanchi Friday, 13 January 2017 08:04 AM

Literally No, But metaphorically Yes!

Tania Friday, 13 January 2017 09:04 AM

Problem is.. Those were the wrong values

Pambaya Thursday, 12 January 2017 02:40 PM

It is time he appreciate what need be and vice versa. This way he will earn more respect and votes. If not he will be branded as a traitor soon.

Hitapangmachan Thursday, 12 January 2017 03:19 PM

do u know what is GSP u know only abc via DM iOS App

C.K.Lankaputhra. Thursday, 12 January 2017 04:16 PM

Yes country didn't suffer, but it is the people who suffered.

Damitha Aus Thursday, 12 January 2017 04:49 PM

Totally agree with what he says, more than the GSP the country suffered from his family.

Park Thursday, 12 January 2017 05:46 PM

This clearly shows that he is out of touch and could never accept or tell the truth.

Karigalan Thursday, 12 January 2017 09:32 AM

With all you hard work you can reach maximum 38% votes Sir,You have to Lie more to increase this percentage, still i doubt?

Ranjit Thursday, 12 January 2017 08:04 PM

Now we are not suffering without you!

TONY Thursday, 12 January 2017 08:10 PM

IT IS BETTER FOR MR TO BE SILENT WITHOUT TALKING BULLSHIT

Adrian A Perera Thursday, 12 January 2017 10:32 AM

Can we know the number of Garment Factories closed down during your period. More than 100 factories were closed down and small time garments were suffering badly due to no GSP during your era.

BC Thursday, 12 January 2017 10:32 AM

Yes it drove most of the poor innocent girls who worked in garment factories to massage clinics . via DM Android App

Prazi Thursday, 12 January 2017 10:33 AM

With all the due respect for what MR did to the country, I think its time for him to appreciate what should be appreciated. Thats the only way he can regain respect as a politician.

tintin Thursday, 12 January 2017 10:38 AM

Dear Sir, we knew that you will not understand the importance of GSP from beginning

ruwan Thursday, 12 January 2017 10:52 AM

He is commenting on everything now.. plannin on a comeback MR???

DULIP Thursday, 12 January 2017 10:55 AM

You and your family did not suffer Mr. Mahinda. But the country suffered a lot. Pls understand.

mike Thursday, 12 January 2017 11:06 AM

yes sir you are correct . you upheld our values

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Country did not suffer without GSP+: MR

Comments - 23

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