19 August 2019 02:02 pm
Addressing a ceremony held last Sunday in Polonnaruwa, President Maithripala Sirisena said Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa was the only minister he met in the last 25-30 years in Sri Lanka’s politics who had not stolen public funds, killed anyone or engaged in corruption.
“He is one of the most energetic, efficient and hardworking ministers in the government. He is not a thief, criminal or murderer. I can give you that assurance because I have been in politics for several decades and in various governments in the capacity of MP, Deputy Minister, Cabinet Minister and President. Therefore, I can recognise the ones who are honest and those who are not. Minister Premadasa is a clean, honest and trustworthy politician. He is someone who could feel the pulse of the common man because he stands firmly on the ground with the man on the street and the downtrodden,” he said.
Addressing a ceremony held recently to mark the opening of Jeewahattagama, Disalagama and Kotaragala model villages by the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA), the President said his tenure was the only period when civilians were not targeted by government forces. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)