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Video: MR has no authority to donate money-UNP

20 August 2014 10:16 am - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The United National Party (UNP) said that the President had no authority to announce 1 million US$ as assistance to be provided to the war victims in Palestine from public funds of Sri Lanka and that there was a procedure to grant approval for such grants to other countries.   

“The President, out of nowhere, announced 1 million US$ as financial assistance to Palestine. The state head has no authority to announce grants to other countries like this because there is a certain procedure to follow,” UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told a news conference today.     

He said this was not the first time that the President had done so and that the President had donated money in the past to some other countries.

“The President gave money to Uganda to construct a vocational training centre and a water project. He gave Rs. 50 million to carpet the road leading to the Maldivian President’s House. The road was named as Mahinda Rajapaksa road,” he said.

Mr. Attanayake criticized the move and said it was not ethical to donate money to other countries when Sri Lanka was in huge debt.

“Each Sri Lankan owes Rs. 350,000 today because of the high debt we are in. Even the unborn are in debt. The President had decided to donate money to Palestine because he was awarded the title ‘Star of Palestine’. Now he is paying back,” he said.

He said the government should focus on the victims of the drought in the country and other issues instead of distributing money among other countries.

“There have been occasions when Sri Lanka had donated its products such as tea to other countries as assistance during times of need but not public funds. The debt we are in will only increase if the government continues to act like this,” he said. (Sanath Desmond and Lahiru Pothmulla)



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  Comments - 16

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  • Ranjith Silva Wednesday, 20 August 2014 11:11 AM

    One can see the end of the nose only. Think ahead and have a good heart. By giving only you get, according to Dhamma.

    MM Wednesday, 20 August 2014 11:16 AM

    Already Approved... Don't worry TA

    Azee Wednesday, 20 August 2014 04:51 PM

    I am the Lord of all I survey and my right none can dispute is the. mentality. via DM Android App

    ANTON Wednesday, 20 August 2014 11:33 AM

    "YOU SHUT UP, THIS IS MY CAR AND MY PETROL"

    ANTON Wednesday, 20 August 2014 11:38 AM

    LONG AGO MAHINDA TAUGHT TISSA ABOUT IMPORTANCE OF LORD BUDDHA'S PHILOSOPHY, NOW TISSA IS TEACHING PHILOSOPHY OF SPENDING MONEY TO MAHINDA

    The God Father Wednesday, 20 August 2014 11:45 AM

    UNP has so many donkeys that open their mouths at the wrong time, specially just before an election, one time UNP had so many intelligent articulated politicians , what happened to this party?

    True Srilankan Wednesday, 20 August 2014 11:46 AM

    Forget whether he has authority or not i guess Green will criticise anything to get attention.. i hope people will not be that fools to vote to green coz green and blur make no difference.. country need fresh blood

    bernard Wednesday, 20 August 2014 12:15 PM

    He has every right. It is his own money after all. Just as the country is.

    ibadun Wednesday, 20 August 2014 05:51 PM

    no body can take action as per constitution of Sri Lanka. so we must change for betterment of nation. and boss you must note that the loan is 75% GDP now it was 105% before 5 years so dont try to make people fool on this via DM Android App

    shameer Wednesday, 20 August 2014 12:28 PM

    Shinning star... maybe superstar...

    mountain Thursday, 21 August 2014 08:54 AM

    Okey Sir but did you had authority to sign Praba

    BBM Thursday, 21 August 2014 04:49 AM

    fresh blood owe billions and have to pay for the Lame Duck's plunders and deceptive donations.

    Silva Thursday, 21 August 2014 09:09 AM

    Now UNP is again loosing votes by this speeach.

    arjuna Thursday, 21 August 2014 10:08 AM

    Yes. But to donate you should have sufficient. This account is not his personnel.

    Sylvia Haik Thursday, 21 August 2014 12:25 PM

    The UNP is already in the doldrums and should not be wishing to also alienate a significant number of people who approve of this kind humanitarian donation to a much victimised population.

    Flamingo Friday, 22 August 2014 10:09 AM

    What about donating to your own war torn citizens first via DM Android App


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