Why replace the Best Finance Minister? Asks JO

22 May 2017 06:03 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 19 Bookmark

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The government should reveal the reason for replacing its Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake who was not long ago awarded the title of ‘Finance Minister of the Year for Asia-Pacific-2016’ by The Banker magazine, the joint opposition said today.

Commenting on the Cabinet reshuffle, JO National Organiser, MP Dullas Alahapperuma said after naming Minister Karunanayake as the Best Finance Minister a few a months ago it is a mystery as to why he had to be removed.

“The government should also clarify why Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera was removed. He was described as the person who was in the forefront of achieving reconciliation while helping war heroes to escape the electric chair,” he told Daily Mirror.

The MP said they were of the view that the Cabinet reshuffle was based on achieving two objectives – it was to strip Minister Arjuna Ranatunga from the portfolios of Port and Shipping and to give Minister Mangala Samaraweera the media portfolio.

He said there were objections from inside and outside government against the sale of state resources, especially the agreements to lease the Hambantota Harbour to China and the Trincomalee oil tank farm to India.

“Minister Ranatunga was one of those who objected to these agreements and was clearly an obstacle to signing these two agreements. Therefore, he was given another portfolio,” the MP said.

He said the government was determined to bring in Constitutional reforms by hook or by crook and to achieve this, it needed a media minister similar to the like the one from 1994 to 2000.

“This government is following the footsteps of President J.R. Jayewardene and planning to hold a referendum instead of holding elections. The government is not allowing the mandate of the people to be to operate and keep postponing local government elections. This is why it needs a media minister with the experience to move the constitution-making process forward,” the MP said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Comments - 19

TONY Tuesday, 23 May 2017 09:06 AM

BEFORE YOU ASK ABOUT GOVT ACTIVITIES GIVE US THE REASON WHY DID YOU FORM A JO WHEN THERE IS ALREADY AN OPPOSITION

18 34

Bryan Nicholas Saturday, 27 May 2017 12:11 PM

For once the JO has spoken some sense.It is a valid point they have raised and the Government (the President) has a responsibility to inform the country and the world as to why the post of Hon. Ravi Karunanayake was changed.

0 0

Ronnie Bugger Tuesday, 23 May 2017 04:13 PM

My guess is that he does not see eye to eye with the Governor of the Central Bank.

0 5

gihan Tuesday, 23 May 2017 12:58 PM

This is a good idea to remove these Ministers before they get too entrenched and build up little empires inside the ministries.They should be doing the same with all the political and civil service stooges within the ministries too. They too build up corrupt empires and stop the smooth function of Govt. to fill their pockets up!

0 2

nimal Tuesday, 23 May 2017 12:46 PM

u are stupid or what

1 10

jayanath sri bandara Tuesday, 23 May 2017 12:03 PM

I guessed that government reviewed the corruption within country's revenue management, but bankers Magazine would be reviewed only bank revenue handling and management. in-between these two matters exposed two deferent views.

1 2

H A K Hemantha Tuesday, 23 May 2017 11:30 AM

Infact, I would like to ask from the JO, before you raise question of removing RK from the FM post, why your ex leader removed by sri lankans?

5 8

L C A Tuesday, 23 May 2017 11:20 AM

Because Ravi also started continuing the same that JO did when they were in power.

4 4

Rama Tuesday, 23 May 2017 10:38 AM

Ravi's pockets are full now, how about giving someone else a chance.

8 36

INDIKA Tuesday, 23 May 2017 10:38 AM

Do you know what is mean by opposition? If the opposition is a part of government what do you think a real opposition should do?

6 9

rosebud Monday, 22 May 2017 06:08 PM

The JO cannot be serious. via DM Android App

58 38

DN Tuesday, 23 May 2017 09:03 AM

Why people removed the King from the power who saved the country from the terrorism ? Atleast RK got Foreign Ministry post , but MR didn't get the Priminister post ( or at-least the leader of opposition )

17 36

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 23 May 2017 09:02 AM

Can you find out why Ali Baba was replaced on 8th January by the people and citizens of this country?

19 33

Manjula Tuesday, 23 May 2017 08:47 AM

Ravi or mangala to be Ranils successor???? OMG where this country is heading to

6 32

Ajja Tuesday, 23 May 2017 08:41 AM

He was thrown out because he was stingy to issue funds for development purpose as you know Accountants are worst lot to be Finance Ministers.

19 13

r86 Tuesday, 23 May 2017 08:27 AM

good rotation to people rather than UNP.. via DM Android App

4 10

yahiya Tuesday, 23 May 2017 08:26 AM

Ravi is good in finance listen to people voice, had the problem with central bank officers.

43 6

Nihal Amarasekera Tuesday, 23 May 2017 08:13 AM

Whether we like it or not or whether it is coming from JO or not IT IS A VALID POINT.

10 53

sunil Monday, 22 May 2017 09:03 PM

It is job rotation before he or Mangala takeover as Ranil' s successor when it happens. This is all part of succession planning. Lets get Dullas and joint opposition enrolled for a good management training programme.

55 33

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