If I can't appoint a Minister, I don’t need such a post-MR

20 April 2015 06:38 pm - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Commenting on the charge of providing MP Tissa Attanayake a ministerial post as a bribe, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday said that there was no point of holding presidency if he cannot appoint a Minister.

Mr. Rajapaksa expressed these views addressing the crowd at the Raja Maha Viharaya in Hambegamuwa.

“The National security has been challenged today. I received a New Year gift recently asking me to report to the Bribery Commission regarding a bribe. Accordingly, the bribe and my offence are providing a ministerial portfolio to Mr. Tissa Attanayake. If I am the President, and if I cannot appoint a Minister, I don’t need such a post,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.

While charging the development projects had been halted today, he said the fate of the funds allocated to development projects was uncertain. “However, I believe the people won’t forget the development projects we have carried out,” he said.

He said some of the Ministers in his government chose to sit on the floor though they were given chairs said some of them were caught by the Police for various offences.

The former President said there was no freedom to organize a ‘Bodhi Pooja’ without being charged as plotting to come into power.

He also said that Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was not a mere office or a symbol and said the real SLFP is where there is the five forces gathered (Pancha Maha Balaya) at. “I hope the hatred in the peoples’ hearts will be vanished with the power of these Bodhi Poojas,” he said.

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Comments - 11

Malin Tuesday, 21 April 2015 02:46 AM

You were president twice but you never learned to take action against corrupt ministers and allowed wealth of poor people to be plundered. You remembered temples and Bhuddhism after losing but when Buddist prelates in Kandy requested not to hold night races in sacred city, you showed utter disrespect and held races and sold liquor too. YOU ARE A MONUMENT TO CORRUPTION AND BRIBARY AND SHOULD BE KICKED OUT OF POLITICS.

sunny Tuesday, 21 April 2015 04:20 AM

Must charge MS also appointing UPFA members as Ministers to get through 19A

Hamlet Tuesday, 21 April 2015 04:48 AM

Appointing some one suitable to any Post, is not the same as appointing someone for favours granted!

Pibi Tuesday, 21 April 2015 05:39 AM

But not when you are running for that post.

Naga Tuesday, 21 April 2015 06:09 AM

If I remember right the appointment of a Cabinet Minister or for that matter any Govt. appointment duering an election campaign was illegal and tantamount to Bribery in terms of the Election Laws.

CLIVE Tuesday, 21 April 2015 11:33 AM

You are right Sir....

Madlin Tuesday, 21 April 2015 11:37 AM

Its a pity that being the President for two terms he didnt know the law. Any idiot knows that after an election is announced such appointments are illegal via DM Android App

Daya Tuesday, 21 April 2015 11:38 AM

Question all about whether you appoint a minister for the best interest of the country or your personal benefit. via DM Android App

Vasa Tuesday, 21 April 2015 03:47 PM

Your standard practice has no standards,no values.

roy Tuesday, 21 April 2015 04:32 PM

ONLY GUILTY ARE AFRAID,YOU WERE JUST AN ORDINARY MAN BEFORE BEING A PRESIDENT,AFTER BEING A PRESIDENT ANY SPECIAL QUALITIES HAVE YOU AQUIRED.

batangala Tuesday, 21 April 2015 04:36 PM

Mr. Mahinda do you still think that it was ethical as a presidential candidate to offer UNP MP Tissa Aththanayaka ministerial post in the verge of a presidential election? That itself will disqualify you from future politics.

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If I can't appoint a Minister, I don’t need such a post-MR

Comments - 11

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