MPs’ privileges to arrive from VIP terminals without inspection must be removed: Amaraweera

29 May 2023 08:07 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 19 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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While condemning Parliamentarian Ali Sabri Rahim using his parliamentary privileges, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said privileges given to members of parliament to arrive without inspection from the VIP terminals of the airport should be removed.

Addressing a meeting in Hambantota recently, he said that amounts to theft and fraud. If a proposal is brought to abolish Ali Sabri Rahim's position as a Member of Parliament, I will support it, he said.

"In my opinion, parliamentary privileges like this should be removed. Parliamentarians can also come through a normal passenger terminal and be checked like normal passengers. It doesn't matter if the privileges given by VIP terminals for foreign state visitors for positions like president and prime minister are applied. However, MPs do not need such privileges," Minister Amaraweera said. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

Comments - 19

Karalasingam Sivalingam Monday, 29 May 2023 08:27 AM

All citizens are equal by law, no exception be given to anyone, whether he is the president, prime minister, minister, member of Parliament or any High official.

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jan Monday, 29 May 2023 08:34 AM

Why self called vip? Peoples voted them serve them without Discrimination,why they were Given EVERY WHERE additional Freedom's we have seen world leaders traveling by Trains, walking down Roads Even PRESIDENT PM can use common roads,From SRILANKANS vote they Amend Constitution to SUIT Them Everything's N Entire Families to LUXURIOUS COMFORTABLE LIVES on SRILANKANS tax money This must be stopped,must change POLITICAL SYSTEMS TOO IMMEDIATELY

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ubey Monday, 29 May 2023 08:34 AM

Not only MPs, ministers, deputy minister s, prime minister and also president should go through a normal procedure s

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Sri Lankan Monday, 29 May 2023 08:37 AM

These people are so double tongued, it's a crying shame to even listen to their pathetic explanations now. How is it that these explanations are being given only after the detection of smuggled gold by a government MP. Pathetic....... people must take a firm stand at the next elections. There is no other solution....

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William Monday, 29 May 2023 08:39 AM

Just a fancy idea. When it comes to implementation, hand will go up in the opposite direction.

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sam Monday, 29 May 2023 08:43 AM

Agree with you Mahinda. Only a few parliamentarians deserve VIP lounge.

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Sivalingam Monday, 29 May 2023 08:45 AM

What about the $ millions squandered on Chinese faecal fertiliser.

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Rex Jarkie Monday, 29 May 2023 08:55 AM

Everyone entering VIP lounge should Check Big or Small

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Sarath Monday, 29 May 2023 09:10 AM

Hat's off to Mahinda Amaraweera for having the backbone to speak out that the majority of the population would like to see. Perhaps we could go a step fur6and narrow down significantly who can use the VIP terminal and who may be entitled to diplomatic passports. Do MP's and ministers need facilities? Look at other developed countries and the answer would be big and loud NO. Over to the brave like Mahinda Amaraweera to champion for change. I am sure he will find support from within, but also encounter opposition from corrupt elements. If implemented it would be a significant step in regaining public confidence in the people's representatives.

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Ruwan Monday, 29 May 2023 09:24 AM

Sabri is abusing his Parliament privileges for his "personal business venture" in Dubai, as he claims. He shouldn't eat and drink in the VIP lounge on tax payers monies and go to Dubai to do personal business every month.

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Ruwan Monday, 29 May 2023 09:24 AM

Sabri is abusing his Parliament privileges for his "personal business venture" in Dubai, as he claims. He shouldn't eat and drink in the VIP lounge on tax payers monies and go to Dubai to do personal business every month.

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Ruwan Monday, 29 May 2023 09:24 AM

Sabri is abusing his Parliament privileges for his "personal business venture" in Dubai, as he claims. He shouldn't eat and drink in the VIP lounge on tax payers monies and go to Dubai to do personal business every month.

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Ruwan Monday, 29 May 2023 09:24 AM

Sabri is abusing his Parliament privileges for his "personal business venture" in Dubai, as he claims. He shouldn't eat and drink in the VIP lounge on tax payers monies and go to Dubai to do personal business every month.

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Jude Monday, 29 May 2023 09:41 AM

Politicians can arrive or leave from VIP terminal but they should be tharowly searched!! Yeah

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blackwater Monday, 29 May 2023 10:49 AM

This is just an eye wash to calm the citizen nothing will happen

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Observer Monday, 29 May 2023 11:00 AM

Amaraweera's proposal is good .However he says MP's privileges to use VIP Terminals should be withdrawn. Amaraweera is a Minister and not merely an MP. He must be meaning that Ministers and State Ministers using VIP Terminal should be allowed.He is a Crook and he should really say that only President and PM should be allowed the use of VIP Terminals. Even issue of Diplomatic Passports to MPs should be stopped.

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Razan Ahamed Monday, 29 May 2023 11:48 AM

People should realize the danger of current political culture to bring a total system change and to elect high caliber people. The parliamentarians comes to serve the nation without expecting any privileges or perks. They should be committed to serve the people. They are the nobles.

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lester Monday, 29 May 2023 12:13 PM

Entire VIP terminal needs to be removed. If a foreign dignitary is coming to Sri Lanka, they can come to Mattala or Rathamalana.

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Mohammed intiquab Ghouse Monday, 29 May 2023 03:39 PM

That will be a good thing to do for the future by ministers idea

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