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FM confirms paying MR's travel expenses to Uganda

14 May 2016 03:17 pm - 64     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The travel expenses of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa for his visit to Uganda was paid by the Foreign Affairs Ministry on a directive by Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Ministry's Overseas Administration Divison Director General confirmed today.

Mr.Rajapaksa was invited for the inauguration ceremony of the Ugandan President Yoweni Musaveni who was sworn in for his fifth term as President.

Director General A.L. Ratnapala, told Daily Mirror that the decision to pay the travel expenses was taken by Minister Samaraweera on a request made by Mr. Rajapaksa about the possibility of his travel expenses being paid by the ministry.

Some amount between Rs.400, 000 and Rs. 500,000 was paid for the airline tickets and Mr. Ratnapala said he had authorized the transaction to be invoiced.

He said the Foreign Ministry agreed to pay only Mr.Rajapaksa’s travel expenses and not of those who accompanied him.

"The transaction was carried out in line with normal ministerial procedure. We agreed to pay for his tickets and not for accommodation or any other facilities," Mr. Ratnapala said adding that Ugandan Government would meet the other expenses because this visit was undertaken on an invitation of that government.

However, it was not clear as to the basis on which the Foreign Ministry agreed to pay for the air tickets of a former president for a private visit abroad.

Several attempts to contact Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha De Silva, to inquire about this matter had failed. (Piyumi Fonseka)

 


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  Comments - 64

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  • Arnold Sunday, 15 May 2016 10:11 AM

    Yo Mangala!! Please give me a return ticket to New York. I like to visit my friends there.

    prasa Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:54 PM

    if srilanka government is given a invitation by another country then Government representative can participate with government expense.but mihinda is only a normal parliamentarian and not a government reprasantative . if any other party representative is invited by another country .. will government pay for them this government is also going Mahida road.. mislead people like previous government.. both of them must be defeated in next election. now we can trust only JVP... wt jvp said is coming true.... via DM Android App

    TONY Saturday, 14 May 2016 09:04 PM

    WHO IS SHAMELESS, MR OR THE GOVT

    BUSHEL Saturday, 14 May 2016 09:13 PM

    OVER TO U FIELD MARSHAL

    truth Saturday, 14 May 2016 09:26 PM

    saying that government is facing economic difficulties and impose lot of tax on to the holders of people and earn money to pay unnecessary expense . is this called yahapalanaya both unp & slfp shold be defeated in the next election.. they have been misleading people for 67 years... via DM Android App

    renu Saturday, 14 May 2016 09:43 PM

    MR said I tried everything to be in power and failed , You manage to suppress the opposition leader . That was not possible in Srilanka last time. Same might happen to you in the future,

    Lima Saturday, 14 May 2016 09:50 PM

    MR IS TAKING A RIDE OF THE CURRENT GOVT. HE IS SO CUNNING , THE ROBBER WANTED TO BRING BACK THE ROBBED MONEY AT THE CURRENT GOVT EXPENSE . WHAT A FOOL OF THE CURRENT GOVT. WHY CANNOT PRES MS STOP THIS TRAVEL . IT HAS TO BE OFFICIAL AND NOT UNOFFICIAL. NOT AN MP CAN ATTEND WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE HEAD OF STATE. WHAT IS PRES MS LOOKING AT

    ranmala Saturday, 14 May 2016 10:10 PM

    Well said. Both these parties are two sides of the same coin. Enough is enough. For action vote for the red sahodarayas

    REALPATRIAT Saturday, 14 May 2016 10:27 PM

    BORU Yahapalana is playing dual game. On what groundthe tax payers money wasipaid for first class flight ticket for the ex corrupt ruler via DM Android App

    sam silva Saturday, 14 May 2016 10:42 PM

    An African Dictator invites an ex Sri Lankan dictator and Govt pays. Why should public money be wasted on such a useless trip.At the Musoveni inaguration all Western diplomats walked out as Mosoveni lashed out at the international courts.YAHAPALANAYA is supporting MR- thats wjy no one arrested so far

    TONY Saturday, 14 May 2016 10:45 PM

    MR STILL WANTS TO DIG FROM GOVT KITTY

    GC Saturday, 14 May 2016 10:47 PM

    If Yahapalanaya really believe there is looted money abroad, why could they not ask MR to use his own money? Unbelievable situation.

    Ronnie Saturday, 14 May 2016 11:02 PM

    Oh god!! What's the meaning of this? He's endorsing a draconian regime of another country...??? $

    hari Sunday, 15 May 2016 12:00 AM

    a corrupt dictator inviting another! What a shameless country Srilanka has become!

    Duminda Sunday, 15 May 2016 09:28 AM

    No wonder why world still tag SL as a 3rd world country to-date........... Words beyond explanations.

    Jagath Leanage Sunday, 15 May 2016 10:00 AM

    Deal between Foreign minister and M.R.?

    loot man Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:34 PM

    This joy ride is paid where MR to bring the loot parked in that country

    dham Sunday, 15 May 2016 10:44 AM

    Corrupt President met another same on behalf of tax payers money. via DM Android App

    dulan Sunday, 15 May 2016 10:53 AM

    This is why I have never voted in my life. I am 70 years old and wise .JVP should be more explicit about their economic policies and plans . They waste too much of time fault finding which is a waste of time .Focus on what you would do if you come to power

    Banji Sunday, 15 May 2016 12:41 PM

    its time to pack these jokes home...All notice before election.. Now we are served with crap via DM iOS App

    Justicia Sunday, 15 May 2016 05:40 PM

    Frankly, I had interest in writing comments on news items appearing on this DM site. Now, with such blow hot blow cold actions by the Govt, it leaves us frustrated (the only word which comes to my mind). and turns me away even reading any news, The country should demand an explanation from The President and PM together with FM , on why such expenditure was incurred, which leaves a dangerous precidence.

    justicia Sunday, 15 May 2016 06:07 PM

    Absolutely - More than a deal - and we fools are being lead up the garden path, to believe that all these swindlers will be brought to book. Believe me, nothing will happen. - it has come to a point , that we cannot even trust the President.

    Kroda Sunday, 15 May 2016 06:52 PM

    Travel expenses approved by Mangala who everyone knows accused MR of robbing US 19 billion of peoples money. via DM Android App

    naraka satha Sunday, 15 May 2016 06:52 PM

    MR n Yahapalana have MOU via DM iOS App

    Lanka Watch Sunday, 15 May 2016 09:07 PM

    There is more to it. Pls do not blame FM Mangala, totally.MS/RW behind it and FM Mangala made a scape goat.

    hewa Sunday, 15 May 2016 09:20 PM

    people should be able to file a court case against such kind of unnecessary expense.. government has money to pay unnecessary expense and buy 600 million vehicles . then people have to pay more and more vat and tax for their stupid things. Now this government is same as mahinda rajapaksha government.. we will vote for JVP... via DM Android App

    pushpe Sunday, 15 May 2016 09:30 PM

    Red brothers must come to the power in the near future then only people can can be satisfied.... via DM Android App

    TONY Sunday, 15 May 2016 10:26 PM

    DID MR REQUEST OR DEMAND GOVT TO MEET HIS EXPENSES TO UGANDA

    Top Hat Monday, 16 May 2016 07:32 AM

    A bribe?

    Peace Monday, 16 May 2016 11:21 AM

    FM should know country's financial struggles better...

    KD Wednesday, 18 May 2016 11:33 PM

    Fully agree....

    selvam Thursday, 19 May 2016 04:35 PM

    MANAGALA getting ready to jump, as he said to MR " we can be friends again" Huh Yahapalana???

    Upul Saturday, 14 May 2016 06:39 PM

    This is a joke. If it was a private trip let him find the money for it or else he should have cancelled it. Why is government providing public funds for his personal use?

    Unchikun Saturday, 14 May 2016 04:05 PM

    And we get to pay the VAT for these joy rides. When is the next election. Only option now is the red brothers.

    lankan Saturday, 14 May 2016 04:10 PM

    What a shameless drama

    GC Saturday, 14 May 2016 04:12 PM

    So, do the FM pay expenses of Chandrika when she is not on official business? Or, was Mahinda the official representative of the government to the inauguration? If so, all this Yahapalana, FCID etc may be facades to just hoodwink the people about the government's good intentions?

    Namal Perera Saturday, 14 May 2016 04:58 PM

    When people are under going lot of hard ship and when the Government is short of money, how stupid are they to do a such a thing? Look like they are going to share the Rajapakse loot.

    Yasin Saturday, 14 May 2016 05:19 PM

    I do not know whether Uganda is represented in Sri Lanka?Perhaps they do not know that the MR is an ousted prezand is now just an ordinary MP.Also, technically, the invitation should have come through the Ugandan government to our government addressed to MR..Can the FM clarify on what basis did the Ugandan govt. invite MR? ie: As Prez of SL or a defeated Prez or in the capacity as personal friend of the Ugandan Prez Musaveni who is termed as a dictator similar to what MR aspired for.

    Badur Saturday, 14 May 2016 05:20 PM

    There is a deal between yahapalana guys and chinthana fellows. Only a drama is staged at FCID and PREFIAC to hoodwink the people. What is happening to Lasantha Wasim Ekneligoda etc. We poor are taxed foe water and essential foods and MR given business class air ticket for his private trips to Uganda and Swaziland via DM Android App

    Hoodwinked Saturday, 14 May 2016 05:37 PM

    The cat which had glimpses has now come out of the bag. It is the game the government and opposition has been playing. The deals are now showing, it is you scratch my back and I scratch yours, may be with loads of filthy lucre on offer. Ranil Maithri and now mangala has lot to explain.

    naren Saturday, 14 May 2016 05:39 PM

    Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera still has a soft corner for his former Boss,it appears'

    tishan Saturday, 14 May 2016 05:45 PM

    We thought we got rid of this curse on january 8 election.

    Manel Saturday, 14 May 2016 05:48 PM

    This is rediclous to say the leastThis fellow is eating into country's coffer even after losing presidentship and Govt is supporting him.

    Neil Wijeratne Saturday, 14 May 2016 05:49 PM

    The Government can give him a permanent allowance monthly and ask him to stay in UGANDA-FOREVER-without messing around with the affairs of this country- which he has messed up in style during his regime-They can introduce him as the Idi Amin of Sri Lanka who killed Prabakharan from his palatial Presidential outfit in Colombo.

    Dr.Raghavan Pathmanathan Saturday, 14 May 2016 06:09 PM

    No wonder Uganda was a place for all kind atrocities in 1970s.I mean during nasty dictator, Dada Idi Amin period.So MR has been invited by a correct

    Aba Jayasekera Saturday, 14 May 2016 06:17 PM

    This Foreign Minister does not know his limits. If the State paid his fare he will be the accredited representative of this country. Who gave authority to the FM to declare MR, a man who has plundered State property, to be our accredited representative ?

    Kamal Saturday, 14 May 2016 06:19 PM

    How come the Peoples President of Sri Lanka's visit become a private visit when a Government of Uganda invites a peoples president for a state function?Jayawewa Maharajaneni! (As MY3 used to call him after the war ended)

    Nihal Saturday, 14 May 2016 06:23 PM

    Who is paying VAT on this? This man is a hell of a burden on the masses. Is foreign ministry still under rajapakse administration ?

    Coconut Republic Saturday, 14 May 2016 03:54 PM

    WHY?

    antonsunil77 Saturday, 14 May 2016 06:51 PM

    "Birds of feathers flock together"

    Irfan Saturday, 14 May 2016 06:51 PM

    How can he fly on Emirates? it's a shame after all what he did...

    vasaliya Saturday, 14 May 2016 07:13 PM

    You can see the Rajapakse guys exiting the FCID premises now with big smiles on thier faces....they know Ranil has cleared them out. Maithree and Ranil only hoodwinked us. I always knew Ranil owes a lot to MR for still being around. Though he is not a rougue, he is a A-ONE scoundrel....

    Sharon Saturday, 14 May 2016 07:18 PM

    We like to know about CBK foreign travel expenses as well. via DM iOS App

    GC Saturday, 14 May 2016 07:54 PM

    I agree, Yahapalana may share the new loot just like Rajapakses' are said to have shared the loot of the previous set of crooks and terrorists (KP/Tigers and Co.) after having even paid them money. These looted money go in circles it seems.

    Cobra Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:11 PM

    Mangala, why don't you step down and give the job to Mahinda, he'll undo all you have achieved, no?

    GC Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:12 PM

    Yes, really shameful. This is the day when I finally lost faith in this government and so-called Yahaplana. I am not surprised if this was "last straw that broke the Camel's back" for many people.

    Sammy Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:20 PM

    Why hasn't the incumbent Sri Lankan President or a Govt. official not been invited for the inauguration ceremony of a foreign head of state?

    kuma Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:22 PM

    no other options except jvp. now we can trust only red brothers... via DM Android App

    Sincere Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:23 PM

    This is the joke of the century!

    vithura Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:24 PM

    I think the FM has made a mistake by setting a wrong precedent in paying for his tickets, as MR was not representing the country. Given the invitation was from the Govt of Uganda, the request from MR should have been politely turned down by the foreign ministry.

    Sincere Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:26 PM

    Earlier we were told about their collisions, now without telling us they are having collusions!

    CitizenPerera Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:29 PM

    Is our Foreign Minister INSANE? Mangala sponsoring an MP to go bolster a Ugandan tyrant who has embraced corruption, destroyed the democratic establishment and judiciary, gagged the media, threatened Ugandan opposition, made a mockery of human rights and mocked at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    Early Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:31 PM

    Will FCID take action against the FM for this act?

    Suffering Srilankan Saturday, 14 May 2016 08:31 PM

    It is simply ridiculous and incredible via DM Android App


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