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Namal alleges PM hiring private firm

31 March 2016 08:57 am - 35     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa recently alleged that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was hiring a private consultant firm based in Hong Kong, to organise his upcoming official visit to China.

Tweeting on Saturday, the MP questioned as to why a private consultant was hired to attend to the needs of the official visit, instead of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

He said the alleged stance was in a bid to restore and bolster the Sri Lanka-China friendship.
“The Premier expects to revive the bankrupt economy of Sri Lanka from the visit. It was he, as the Opposition Leader, who once accused Chinese establishments of being crooks and Mahinda Rajapaksa of stealing funds borrowed from them. The Prime Minister should reveal the true reason of hiring a private firm and also the sum they have spent to receive their service,” he said.

With an undercurrent of sarcasm, the MP further questioned the level of competence of the Foreign Affairs Ministry officials and other envoys. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Consultancy for technical concerns only – Harsha

Refuting the claims and allegations made by MP Namal Rajapaksa that the Hong Kong based private consultant firm was hired to facilitate the Prime Minister’s visit to China, and to patch-up the relationship between the two sides, the Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday said the entire visit was organised by the government.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva told the Daily Mirror that the Premier’s tour was handled by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL), and that the firm was hired only to seek technical and political assistance in China.

“The arrangements for the visit are being done by the Prime Minister’s Office together with the Foreign Affairs Ministry. We have not outsourced the organising to anyone else. The consultation is specific and short-term, and there is nothing wrong with it.

These types of consultations happen all the time. We can do consultations anywhere we wish to. The consultant is very close to the political and business leadership of China,” he said.

Commenting on making groundwork for the visit, the Deputy Minister stated that the GoSL had bolstered the Sri Lankan Mission in Beijing to facilitate the visit and added that Ambassador Dr. Karunasena Kodithuwakku was already making necessary arrangements.

“Senior career diplomats have been sent to China to attend to necessary arrangements on the visit. Ministers Malik Samarawickrama and Sagala Ratnayake were already in China couple of weeks ago. The Foreign Affairs Ministry is doing all what needs to be done,” he said.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to visit China in the first week of April. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

 


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  Comments - 35

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  • TONY Thursday, 31 March 2016 07:09 PM

    NAMAL ENGAGED BOLLYWOOD STARS AS THEIR CONSULTANTS

    Consultant Thursday, 31 March 2016 01:24 PM

    Whar MR did in US is happening with RW in China.Hiring consultants to reach the powers ......

    rajs26 Thursday, 31 March 2016 02:36 PM

    when your dad was president, he appointed competent people for the various posts- competency in bribery, corruption etc, were the main qualifications needed then.Your present statement is like" pot calling the kettle black".

    Bob Marley Thursday, 31 March 2016 02:43 PM

    The answer is obvious, the Foreign Affairs Unit is useless - full stop

    GC Thursday, 31 March 2016 03:00 PM

    Well, Well. Where were you during the last regime which hire PR consultant firms in the UK and US, including to write a UN speech for someone and other PR matters? With what type of people did you fill the foreign ministry those days, making it become the useless one it was? Can you remember a monitoring minister was alleged to have assaulted a respected High Commissioner who then resigned? Etc. Etc

    mike Thursday, 31 March 2016 03:31 PM

    good! this is the kind of strong opposition is needed. those who blamed the past regime cant be doing the same although that is exactly what is happening on all fronts. two wrongs cant make right

    renu Thursday, 31 March 2016 04:51 PM

    He will be not swindling public money but everything will be done to the benefit of the country during his visit. Wait and see the out come. Can your father buckle anything?

    Nuke Thursday, 31 March 2016 05:00 PM

    Talking as if he did good to the country.

    Aruna Thursday, 31 March 2016 05:36 PM

    That is why the country gone bankrupt during his office

    Shelley. Thursday, 31 March 2016 12:41 PM

    What does this young chap know about the complicity of international affairs via DM Android App

    dasman Friday, 01 April 2016 04:11 AM

    Ranil Sir, self invite your self to Arabia. Do not upset the Chinese.

    Jerry Friday, 01 April 2016 04:44 AM

    Why go elsewhere when Namal has a consultancy with all synthatic Lawyers who have never even passed by the side of The Law college or Law Faculty of the University. A fool like Namal having a consultancy, what a joke.

    EDS Friday, 01 April 2016 11:14 AM

    is that why he needs a third party to get Chinese assistance and that too with a begging bowl ?

    eds Friday, 01 April 2016 11:15 AM

    that's exactly the point ! this is what the YP Gand said that they will NOT do!!!

    Nuwan Sunday, 03 April 2016 08:40 AM

    This is exactly the opposite and will yield a similar results.

    Tania P Sunday, 03 April 2016 03:13 PM

    Hahaha... hilarious. Pot calling kettle black !

    hardy Monday, 04 April 2016 01:04 PM

    Correct

    abeyna Thursday, 07 April 2016 03:18 PM

    RW should have hired this consultents before stopping the work at port city extension project

    A W Abdulakny Thursday, 31 March 2016 10:11 AM

    Mr Namal Rajapakse talking about the level of competency in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!!!!!!!

    Mr Facts Thursday, 31 March 2016 09:30 AM

    Quote.The consultant is very close to the political and business leadership of China,” he said.Unquote.Now what is this please? You blamed the MR government here and there for hiring a consultant in the US.

    Sangaralingham Thursday, 31 March 2016 09:32 AM

    Transparency must be observed in all government involvement to the public as the public expects funds used by the government is used wisely carefully frugally not in pompous manner

    TipTop Thursday, 31 March 2016 09:42 AM

    Yes, the minister should have contacted "Carlton Consulting" for this work.

    Patriotism Thursday, 31 March 2016 09:45 AM

    But you appointed air hostesses for consultancy.....

    ANTON Thursday, 31 March 2016 09:51 AM

    PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES , WEATHER GOOD OR BAD, SHOULD NOT THROW STONES AT OTHERS.

    sama Thursday, 31 March 2016 10:04 AM

    Namal don't forget that your government has hired number of US firms to enhance the flagging image of it . Ultimately nothing has happened except unwanted spending of foreign currency.

    Jude Thursday, 31 March 2016 10:07 AM

    "Pot is calling Kettle is black"

    Cobra Thursday, 31 March 2016 10:10 AM

    Has he forgotten all those private firms his appachchi hired paying millions of public money?

    Bubble Banda Thursday, 31 March 2016 09:28 AM

    Putha Namal fly a kite. RW can run through your nose and come out from your ears.

    Sharon Thursday, 31 March 2016 10:15 AM

    I thought the Brain of Asia is consulted by other countries...

    nalaka Thursday, 31 March 2016 10:22 AM

    we don't believe in Rajapaksas any more they are bygones now

    Andrew Pitugala Thursday, 31 March 2016 10:41 AM

    It is good that young Rajapaksa is awakening to situations which were common place when the previous regime was in existence and at colossal expense burdening the tax payer..

    Asoka Thursday, 31 March 2016 11:10 AM

    Why? Ranil visiting to China? He said so many times Colombo Port City Project one closing after they winning the election. Can we trust this type of Prime Minister? I am sure China will go to world court regarding this Port City project also.

    Gobba Thursday, 31 March 2016 11:27 AM

    Are you feeling jealous that the Chinese have now turned their attention to the National Unity Government ? The hiring done during your power times are still sliding out of the wood works. So better be quiet rather than dig that hole even deeper.

    dham Thursday, 31 March 2016 11:52 AM

    Is it like u hired a firm for unsuccessfully bid the Commonwealth Games billions via DM Android App

    Onlooker Thursday, 31 March 2016 12:27 PM

    Even at a cost it is good to hire consultants. There are no competant charactors in the yahapalana setup , rather than messing up as usual.


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