Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Sovereignty, territorial integrity would hang in the balance in 2017 - MR

31 December 2016 09:25 am - 12     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and the fate of future generations would hang in the balance in 2017 under this increasingly dysfunctional government.

In a statement, he said 2017 would be the year in which the future of Sri Lanka would be decided.

“The government’s devolution package to divide the country into what they call ‘distinct spheres of authority’, the ETCA with India to open up Sri Lanka to Indian service providers and workers, the privatisation of the Hambantota harbour and other government owned assets, are just some of the unwelcome changes that the government has planned in the new year. All this will come on top of the gross economic mismanagement, declining growth rate, declining foreign reserves, the deteriorating exchange rate, increased taxation, increased interest rates, increasing inflation and a phenomenal increase in the national debt that we have seen over the past two years,” he said in the statement.

He said the SLFP members in the government who were elected to parliament on an anti-UNP, anti-government platform, but have since joined the UNP led government, now appear to be engaged in a struggle with their conscience.

“While condemning Arjuna Mahendran over the bond scam, they defend the Prime Minister. They criticise the UNP in public but vote with them on the VAT Bill, the Office of Missing Persons Bill and the Budget. They co-operate with the Joint Opposition to defeat the ‘Super Minister’ Bill, but at the same time they co-operate with the UNP on the devolution proposals. At this decisive moment, they should be mindful of the future of the country, above everything else,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.

He said those who hold portfolios and vote with the government on important matters were members of the government, despite any criticism they may make in public about other political parties and ministers in the government.

“There are many Ministers and MPs in the SLFP group as well as the UNP who are genuinely perturbed by what the government has been doing. When the leaders of the Joint Opposition so decide, the doors of the anti-government coalition of forces will be thrown open to all such individuals,” he said.


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 12

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Leo Saturday, 31 December 2016 09:43 AM

    We know your idea of future of our country is in your pockets. The country is in the mess it is thanks to you and your family rule. Not enough dragging the country to zero reserves wants to come back to power. via DM Android App

    Chux Saturday, 31 December 2016 10:16 AM

    You and your loving family ruined our country and peoples expectation by robbing innocent people's wealth

    Cyril Saturday, 31 December 2016 12:58 PM

    You are the one who gave Trinco oil tanks to Indians.

    Ahmed Saturday, 31 December 2016 01:23 PM

    we can remember the past very well

    buffalo Saturday, 31 December 2016 02:02 PM

    You are not coming back...

    Nallur Samy Saturday, 31 December 2016 06:22 PM

    For the the above commentators and your ilk remember one thing the days of this govt is numbered. MR lost on protest vote and not because any Yahapalana BS.He will never ever win Tamil votes because HE finished the LTTE, He will never win the Muslim votes because their agenda of the mullahs creeping in didnt work....But a sizeable population is waiting...Money could be earned but Peace is not easy thats why it took 30 years..And let me also tell you its not just MRs family what about the families before that and the current !!!!

    rew Saturday, 31 December 2016 06:23 PM

    Absolute Rubbish

    RanjitS Saturday, 31 December 2016 07:02 PM

    We know you are a crook to the intelligent people but you are a saint to riff rafts.

    TONY Saturday, 31 December 2016 10:19 PM

    MR IS SCHEMING A COME BACK WITH ALL THESE BULL SHIT TALKS. HE HAS ALREADY BRAINWASHED SOME SLFP MINISTERS TO BACK HIM

    hubert Sunday, 01 January 2017 08:42 AM

    This ghost is a curse

    sach Sunday, 01 January 2017 12:17 PM

    Are u mad?

    kukula Monday, 02 January 2017 10:36 AM

    president turned astrologer.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H