Ranil likely to meet disgruntled MPs today

1 January 2019 03:31 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 7 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely have a meeting with his MPs who are concerned about not getting ministerial portfolios, Ratnapura district UNP Hesha Withanage said yesterday.

He said on Sunday that seven MPs including him would act independent of the party in Parliament when the expenditure head for the Ministry of International Trade is debated and taken up for voting during the committee stage of the upcoming Budget.

“I and several other MPs visited Minister Malik Samarawickrama's office recently. There was no one to talk to us and we realized that there was no point in giving a ministry to Mr. Samarawickrama. We asked the Prime Minister to remove Mr. Samarawickrama from the Cabinet,” Mr Withnage told Daily Mirror .

MP Chaminda Wijesiri said there were many MPs who are willing to act independently when expenditure heads of ministers who ignore their requests pertaining to grassroots level members of UNP are debated during the committee stage. “We have made certain requests from ministers and if they refuse to heed to our requests we will not vote for their expenditure heads,” he said.

When asked whether they would meet the Prime Minister today to discuss their issues, Mr. Wijesiri said there would not be a formal meeting but they would state their case if the Prime inquires about their concerns. All MPs have been invited for the New Year breakfast hosted by the Prime Minister at Temple Trees this morning. (Yohan Perera)

Comments - 7

concern Tuesday, 01 January 2019 04:11 AM

Mr.PM, we all like to know why you gave a ministerial post to the biggest crook, Mr.Ravi K.

2 62

RP Tuesday, 01 January 2019 04:32 AM

These MPs who threaten the leadership must not be given nomination at the next election. At the same time people like Mallik Smarawickrema who are only friends of RW and who cannot bring much required votes for the party must not be appointed as MP from National List.

3 46

Moiez Tuesday, 01 January 2019 05:37 AM

Include hoppers in the breakfast.

2 22

Sunil Tuesday, 01 January 2019 05:59 AM

Some more perks for these useless goons at public expense. Go ahead PM, your days are numbered.

10 37

Unchikun Tuesday, 01 January 2019 06:42 AM

It makes no sense. The backbenchers as well as the grassroot level supports want Ranil out. It is time he bows out gracefully.

4 37

Saradiel Tuesday, 01 January 2019 06:56 AM

If you had given the ministerial posts to the correct most suitable people, this could have been avoided. You gave them mostly to your close friends and Royalists which is not fair at all and not good for you country.

3 44

Jude Tuesday, 01 January 2019 07:08 AM

There's ALWAYS disgruntled MP'S !!! I'll reiterate!!, you don't need a ministerial portfolio to serve your constituents !! Period!! Just kick them out!!! Because , they're trying to hold the Party for Ransom by sitting independent!! Voters elected them to PARLIAMENT to represent UNP !!! NOT to follow their personal agendas!!

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