Anupa Pasqual says he was not late at meeting with Korean, decides to be punctual hereon

23 December 2022 04:26 pm - 35 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Social Empowerment State Minister Anupa Pasqual today denied media reports claiming that he had attended a meeting with a senior Korean official 30 minutes late and maintained that he had begun the meeting at the scheduled time.

Pasqual, who came under immense criticism after South Korea Disaster Relief Foundation (SKDRF) President Cho Sung Lea slammed Sri Lankan ministers for not being punctual, said the meeting on Wednesday was scheduled to begin at 9.30 am but it was the media who was invited to arrive at 9 am.

"The head table was filled by 9.30 am. It was the media who was informed to arrive at 9 am so they could prepare. Therefore none of us are at fault and neither did we arrive late for the meeting. We have taken a decision to start all our work on time hereon," the State Minister justified.

Pasqual who was expected to lodge a complaint at the CID today at 1.50 p.m. against social media reports which he claimed had tarnished his image after the Korean official slammed Sri Lankan ministers for not being punctual, said that he did not appear at the CID as he wanted to attend the press briefing instead.He said the Korean official Lea had also decided to hold a media briefing today and after seeing its outcome, he would visit the CID and the IGP tomorrow to lodge a complaint.

The Minister also thanked the media for the free publicity given to him. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

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Comments - 35

AIA Friday, 23 December 2022 04:57 PM

Not only Pasqual this is a distinct weakness that most of us Sri Lankans are having as a nation, so lets not just cry foul only at these ministry officials just because a foreigner lambasted them as if the rest of us are faultless in this regard.

Nimal Perera Saturday, 24 December 2022 05:33 AM

Keep finding excuses. Typical Sri Lankan mentality.

Lam Friday, 23 December 2022 05:02 PM

Ok thank you for this declaration and let it be lessons to all government servants and politicians..our politicians have been jolly riding at the public expenses for a long time for 72 years now ...they should know politics of this country has dramatically changed...new generations don't tolerate all this dirty politics trick and you can't fool the public any longer...

Roshanaly Friday, 23 December 2022 05:33 PM

What the Korean Official said that the Sri Lankan lies is perfectly correct.

FairJudge Friday, 23 December 2022 05:37 PM

This is another bad Sri Lankan trait; giving excuses and not admitting fault. SL Ministers, public servants and generally even normal people do not have any sense of time, accountability and responsibility. They just simply don't care. I experienced this in a recent visit to SL. Even the barber I went to get a hair cut was chatting to his friend about 15mns while I was waiting on the barber chair. They simply don't care. Same with the customer service. Go to Fort Railway station and try to buy a ticket. Staff working there have no customer service at all and don't know even how to talk to a customer with eye contact. Foreigners really get frustrated at them as they are not used to it. The station itself is like a cattle shed. When you live and work in a developed country and them visit SL, you notice these straight away. SL has a long way to go. Its Parliament is full of jokers and how can you expect them to correct a country? SL trying to be a developed country is a dream only.

Shelly Friday, 23 December 2022 05:52 PM

If you didn't get late for the meeting then why are you saying you will "start your work on time from hereon?" So are you saying the foreign dignitary who came to help you guys is lying? Not our fault is a old and lame excuse in Sri Lanka. Take accountability and apologize then fix what is broken. Without being humble you will never be able to get this country off the ground.

BUSHEL Friday, 23 December 2022 05:58 PM

WEATHER YOU ARE LATE OR NOT AMBASSODOR SPELLED OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT SRI LANKAN POLITICIANS HABBITS AND CUNNING APPROACHES THAT THEY HAVE OBSERVED THROUGH OUT. THIS MEETING HAPPEND TO BE EVENTE TO DISCLOSE WHAT THEY HAVE IN THEIRE MINDS.

Citizen k Friday, 23 December 2022 06:01 PM

Thank you.It had to be a foreigner who had to point out our faults.This is another trait we Sri Lankans should learn If a mistake is made accept it and move on .False pride must not come into play.

NIHAL WEERAWARDANE Friday, 23 December 2022 06:05 PM

SRILANKAN IS NATION NEVER RESPECT THE LAW AND ORDER ALWAYS LATE - PUNCTUALITY - THEY DON,T KNOW - ALL THESE PROBLEMS , COS OF THIS .

Percy Wijenayake Friday, 23 December 2022 06:12 PM

This state Minister cannot be trusted. Disciplinary action must be taken to strip his ministerial position.

Hector Friday, 23 December 2022 06:13 PM

Then why did you choose to be silent when you were severely punished when you were given such a barrage of words by the Korean principal? Word didn't come easy? If CBK was to be there at the meeting, the guy would have flown back to Korea and the legend would say that the meeting is still waiting for CBK. Perhaps, they think that coming late to an event gives them some importance.

Francis Friday, 23 December 2022 06:14 PM

What a bloody idiot to deny when everything was in black and white. These fellows are out of mind. Shame on you and Ranil please call for his resignation and appoint Kusala as the chairman of the committee to probe and exonerate him eventually and confirm he was in fact on time for the meeting.

Kumara Friday, 23 December 2022 06:23 PM

It is amazing what you say: How come Honourable Minister, you allowed media to set start time for the meeting with a foreign diplomat whom you arranged and invited for this meeting. The public deserves convincing clarification.

dickie bird Friday, 23 December 2022 06:27 PM

Why did the Korean Minister go bersek ?

Mahila Saturday, 24 December 2022 01:42 PM

Because nobody from the Ministry including the Minister were absent from the venue when the delegation arrived at the stipulated time, which annoyance is reasonable!!! This clown must have thought that the delegation can wait for him so he can up the stakes on the "Commis"!!?? Is he a fool or NOT??

Is Pasqual trying to hide about the truth Friday, 23 December 2022 06:40 PM

Why doesn't the Pasqual rebuke the Korean statements. He wants to blame all those who report about the matter of the Korean faulting Sri Lankan minister and officials who came to a meeting. Pasqual seems to want to hide the truth, by scaring people of going to CID if they report on.

DW Friday, 23 December 2022 06:40 PM

Our politicians have been jolly riding at the public expenses for a long time for 72 years now. Why would it change now? It is almost impossible to change a culture or way of life.

Rip Winkle Friday, 23 December 2022 07:00 PM

More lies. Whaddya expect?

Lanka Friday, 23 December 2022 07:13 PM

We need to use their title as The "Government Servants" not "Officials". How we used to call them in the olden days. They are NOT KINGS nor have special "privileges". They are there to "Serve" the people . All Government Servants must be reminded why they are there.

Dilshan Perera Friday, 23 December 2022 07:20 PM

He should work as a slave for the Korean official for a period of one year.. especially cleaning toilets which is the only job he's truly qualified for..

Jeewes jupiter Friday, 23 December 2022 07:34 PM

Sadly, being a Sri Lankan myself, I will believe the Korean official over our own. Sri Lankan govt. workers have proven time after time that they are unable or unwilling to read the time!

Roshan Friday, 23 December 2022 08:23 PM

Aniwaa, As expected never accept the mistakes or hear the message. always turn it around and shoot the messenger. As the saying goes the fish rots from its head.

EMILYJOACK Friday, 23 December 2022 08:55 PM

The tsumani relief fund money was stolen by one of the ministers in the parliment . now he wants his son to to be the president of my country so becareful what ever the money you are offering to this country, you will only make the corrupt politicians rich

UMAS Friday, 23 December 2022 08:59 PM

Mr anupa Pasqual 22 million sri-lanka people are going on hunger to pay yoiur monthly salary kindly vacate your post now what a disgrace

Aquarius Friday, 23 December 2022 09:02 PM

I recall that the South Korean delegate also mentioned lying is a very common pastime in Sri Lanka. So now the State Minister is proving that point too by twisting and turning the truth. Why should he agree to do better if he was on time?

annecunt Friday, 23 December 2022 09:12 PM

MR anupa pasqual kindly get lost or in other words resign 22 milliom people has to go on hungry to pay your monthly salary

DOT Friday, 23 December 2022 09:18 PM

You denied ON time! An improvement! A lesson learnt !

Lanka putha Friday, 23 December 2022 10:14 PM

What that gentleman said was absolutely correct. You can be the minister or prime minister you have to keep the time you need their help and dollars. You made yourself a fool why don't you apologise and close the chapter. More you defend more foolish you will look. Next time be in time for an appointment.

Kithsiri Perera Friday, 23 December 2022 11:28 PM

I live in a developed country and amongst a lot of SriLakans , every single time a meeting is scheduled or invite a S/Lkn ,for a meal, you can be damn sure that they will be bloody late at least by 1/2 to 1 hour. Will they ever learn.

wsw Saturday, 24 December 2022 04:23 AM

It would have been quite noble and exemplary for Pasqual to apologise and agree. He could have set a precedent for our ill disciplined society follow as an example for the future.

Jacob Verville Tuesday, 27 December 2022 12:53 PM

Exactly - it takes a big man to admit when he is wrong, and it would be a learning opportunity. It is like a weasel to try to back out of a fair criticism.

wsw Saturday, 24 December 2022 04:28 AM

Complaining to the CID claiming is image has been tarnished? That sounds so hilarious, even by Pasqual's own standards.

Terrence K Saturday, 24 December 2022 08:33 AM

Did anyone see the obituary notices and observe the advertisement of late Pasqual Anupa.? Maybe in the newspapers of Korea ! Otherwise has he risen and is giving a media briefing ! Now anything can happen in Sri Lanka like pets being used for sex purposes which to my knowledge I only read in the Bible where it says that in the last days many things will happen like human beings acting like Beasts this too for a country which boasts of a culture of 2500 years which has been the curse to this country.

Inshi Saturday, 24 December 2022 09:34 AM

Timing and punctuality are of utmost importance in anything. Most pay least attention to it and this bad habit has got to change in this country. Whether it is a doctor's appointment or service in various departments etc , they love to waste people's time. Please change for the better at least in the new year!

Michael Sunday, 25 December 2022 10:49 AM

This is symptomatic of Sri Lanka in its current crisis and has been so since the corrupt chauvinistic regime of 1956. Musical chairs, nothing changes. You have boot licking idiots as ministers and their cohorts paid from the gravy train of the public purse. The country is doomed to fail unless you have a benevolent dictator with an iron fist for punishment- forget the corrupt judiciary.

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Anupa Pasqual says he was not late at meeting with Korean, decides to be punctual hereon

Comments - 35

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