10 May 2018 12:01 am
It was most welcome that the incident of a Dutch tourist assaulted by 16 people on the beach in Mirissa was dealt with fast with all culprits arrested. When an incident of rape and murder happened during the past regime, nothing was done till it was brought up in Britain and then dealt with. The perpetrator of this most horrendous crime, was a supporter of the then ruler and protected till there was pressure from Britain. Minister Sagala Ratnayake, Tourism Minister John Amaratunga, The Chairman of the Weligama UC, Rehan Jayawickreme and the Tourist Board headed by Kavan Ratnayake have to be thanked for getting this done and for the
People who are quick to pick nits and criticize must be aware of the vast difference between the two governments, on dealing with incidents of this nature which are a disgrace to our reputation as a paradise for tourists and therefore a hindrance to tourism. When the price of medicines was reduced, there were hardly any accolades by the public, but when the prices went up because of the exchange rate,there was a huge hue and cry.
"People who are quick to pick nits and criticize must be aware of the vast difference between the two governments, on dealing with incidents of this nature which are a disgrace to our reputation as a paradise for tourists and therefore a hindrance to tourism"
The politburo was elected by secret ballot by the committee appointed to go into ways and means of restructuring the party. There were some on the latter committee who are certainly not Ranil Wickermesinghe loyalists. Harsha also made a statement which was loud and clear, that this was the first time that office bearers were appointed by vote at the working committee and not by the Leader. I wish other Ministers and MP’s too would follow the example of these two, some are quick to blow their own trumpets instead of defending the party and the Leader. I was shocked like many other UNP supporters to read of one Minister making a statement that he voted against the No Confidence Motion to hang on to his perks and privileges. One wonders if this was the reason he came into politics! Others have also made adverse comments which sound like sour grapes because they were not voted in through the secret ballot to be on the politburo. They are spoiling the laurels that came the way of the UNP after the No Confidence Motion in which they thankfully stood together as a team for the vote, showing that they were indeed the grand old party, not only in name but through word and deed. Still another who accepted office,was apparently shown on TV
It is another joke that those who lost at the last elections and are only there by the grace and favour of the President are also hurling abuse at the UNP and its leader. Still another who was with Mahinda Rajapaksa, castigated President Maithripala Sirisena in no uncertain terms at the Presidential elections and who jumped fences soon after, is also one of the most vociferous critics of the PM. His own political history is none other than a party jumper which he has done more than once. The PM is being criticized both within and outside the party for Ravi Karunanayake being assistant Leader once again. This too was put to the vote, the working committee was asked if they wished to propose any other names, none were proposed and only two opposed his name, therefore he was elected.
But it is important that the UNP leader must instill more discipline and insist that Ministers and MPs belonging to the UNP, must refrain from airing their views on internal party matters to the media. This should be done within the precincts of the corridors of power in the party. He must insist that they go on the attack against the
"It is important that the UNP leader must instill more discipline and insist that Ministers and MPs belonging to the UNP, must refrain from airing their views on internal party matters to the media"
The UNP in the past never had deputy and assistant Leaders. This was done by Ranil who continues to do so although some in these roles stabbed him in the back! The UNP is fortunate in its second line as most of these are educated professionals, and it is Ranil who is responsible for this as mentioned by Navin in a recent
I am reminded of the words of the late W. S. Senior in ‘ The call of Lanka ‘in my prayers and hope for our beloved country. ‘But most shall he sing of Lanka in the brave new days to come.When the races all have blended and the voice of strife is dumb. When we leap to a single bugle, march to a single drum’
No accolade by public when prices of medicinal drugs were reduced
All UNPers stood united to defeat the No Confidence motion against PM
People wonder as to why the corrupt politicos of former regime are still not punished