I was told to ‘sign or resign’-Media ministry secretary

21 December 2016 12:45 am - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The agreement to provide vehicles on lease terms to 58 MPs holding chairmanships in Divisional Coordinating Committees has run into a snag with the Secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Nimal Bopage refusing to place his signature on the said agreement.

He said that his refusal was based on several issues and that he was told to, “Sign or resign”. He revealed this at a media briefing at the Ministry of Mass Media on Tuesday.

Defending his position the secretary said this proposal had not received the approval of the Technological Committee and that repayment was to be made in 60 monthly instalments but the present parliament had only another 45 months to go and he had no right to burden a future parliament with the remaining instalments.

He said a problem had also arisen regarding the ownership of the vehicles.

He said his refusal to sign was due to these reasons, he said.

The president, too, does not seem to be in favour of this proposal and no final decision has been taken. However, he (the secretary) would not sign it, he said.

He said, “I have been told to sign or resign not as a threat but as a matter of course. The prime minister is a good statesman. What he said was correct; as my duty is to sign a document which has been approved by the Cabinet -- and if I fail to do so I should resign. I am correct and the reasons I give are justifiable”. (Muditha Dayananda)

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Comments - 23

Piyumi Fernando Wednesday, 21 December 2016 12:35 PM

Now they will decide whether to "Hang you or not to Hang"

laknath Tuesday, 27 December 2016 12:36 PM

Well done. You are a great example for other govt: servants to follow.

Srima Thursday, 22 December 2016 10:46 AM

A glimmer of hope. We need officers like you. Do not resign. Let them sack you. The very best to you.

D Rambukwella Thursday, 22 December 2016 09:32 AM

General public believed that Mr.Bopage is a henchman of Yahapalana Government. But this behavior of him proved that he is not so.

Parakrama Thursday, 22 December 2016 04:07 AM

Bala, if he had done this during MR's rule he won't be there to make a statement (DEAD) b'cos of democracy

PSiva Wednesday, 21 December 2016 10:24 PM

He is a gentleman and a soldier, trying to 'defend' what is right amidst pressure. We need people like you. Keep it up.

Chux Wednesday, 21 December 2016 08:48 PM

It will be a another show

Mason Wednesday, 21 December 2016 06:22 PM

Bravo ! We appreciate your stand. More like would mean good governance.

Sanath Wednesday, 21 December 2016 04:54 PM

It is a pleasure to see the existence of such officers, thank you for acting straight.

concern Wednesday, 21 December 2016 04:04 PM

When they came to power they said they will not purchase any new vehicles for the MP but use the ones they have.What happened to those also do they need Mercedes Benz at the moment like this ??

neilpriyath Wednesday, 21 December 2016 03:14 PM

Cheap publicity.

Ravi Wednesday, 21 December 2016 12:46 PM

Gentleman with a backbone.

Henry Wednesday, 21 December 2016 07:31 AM

Hats off to you Sir! Pleasure to see at least a handful of honest persons with a strong backbone to save our future generation! Thank You for exposing the truth,,,

sam Wednesday, 21 December 2016 12:32 PM

Hats off, we salute you sir.

SELVYN Wednesday, 21 December 2016 10:49 AM

A good precedent has been created for the other top administrators to follow so that political dominance can be resisted via DM Android App

Visaka Ellawala Wednesday, 21 December 2016 10:12 AM

Proud of you Mr. Bopage

Sincere Wednesday, 21 December 2016 09:18 AM

An exemplary public servant that the country really in need of, but a lamb among wolves!

lkboy Wednesday, 21 December 2016 09:11 AM

This is really sad. Hope more scenarios like this will come to light with RTI.

Missaka Wednesday, 21 December 2016 09:11 AM

So you don't do either?.

Kaboos Wednesday, 21 December 2016 09:03 AM

Good side of good governance

channa jasenthuliyana Wednesday, 21 December 2016 08:58 AM

I sincerely hope other government servants too follow on his footsteps and defy political decisions detrimental to the country.

Mandy Wednesday, 21 December 2016 07:43 AM

Something fishy - cabinet approves but President not in favour.

Bala Wednesday, 21 December 2016 07:41 AM

Congratulations to this great public servant. This is in the highest traditions of the publicc service - to serve the public and not the politicians.As an old timer, I recall the days of the Civil Service when CCS officers defied Ministers.

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I was told to ‘sign or resign’-Media ministry secretary

Comments - 23

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