Sirisena vows to continue fight against corruption and fraud

President Maithripala Sirisena said that if there was undue criticism over his decisions to stop corruption and fraud he was ready to leave all his positions behind and “join the people to continue the struggle”.

Sirisena said this while speaking at a public meeting held yesterday in Nikaveratiya, Kurunegala.

“If there is undue criticism and complaints against the decisions taken by me to stop corruption and fraud, I am ready to leave all positions and join the people to continue the struggle,” he asserted.

“As the Government of the SLFP did wrong things, the SLFP candidate lost in 2015. If the UNP is making the same mistakes being in the Government, people will not approve of that,” he said. 

“The people elected a new Government expecting a correct program which would change the existing corrupt system of governance. Everybody should be ready to start a proper journey to fulfill that expectation of the people. Politicians should love the country and the people without acting according to their private agendas,” the President emphasised. 

“Whatever is said by whomever, I am committed to a clean and good political culture throughout my 50 years of political life. I will act with patience and equanimity with my experience of that long political journey. I am not a stranger to the political arena,” he stated.

Sirisena...

“Though there are complaints against the decision to postpone the Provincial Council Election, even the SLFP wants the elections to be held soon. We have made every commitment in this regard,” he said.

“We passed the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament at a time when the UNP had only 47 seats in the Parliament. One hundred and forty-two MPs from the SLFP and UPFA voted for that. We should strengthen the SLFP not only to win elections but also to create a better political culture,” the President said.

President Sirisena, commenting on the current development programs and projects to build the people’s economy, said more than Rs. 6 billion had been allocated to provide relief to the victims of drought.

Deputy Minister Indika Bandaranayake presented a souvenir to the President, offering a tribute of the Wayamba Province’s people to the President.

Chief Minister of the Wayamba Province Dharmasiri Dassanayake, State Minister Dilan Perera, Deputy Minister Tharanath Basnayake, Chairman of the SLFP Youth Front Shantha Bandara, Wayamba Provincial Minister Lakshman Vendaruwa, Ananda Sarath Kumara, Ananda Jayalath, Kamal Indika and member of the Wayamba Provincial Council Nilantha Supun Rajapaksha were among those present at the function.

The President also declared open a newly-built laboratory under ‘Langama Palasa – Hondama Pasala’ (the closest school is the best school) at Rajabima School in Nikaveratiya.

He observed the students’ activities in the Mathematics Room of the school. He also presented a gift to the student of a Ranaviru family, Lasindu Gasheth, who obtained the highest marks at the last scholarship exam.

The principal of the school B.M.H. Dissanayake presented a souvenir to the President.

After the function at the school, the President joined religious activities at the Budumuththava Rajamaha Viharaya in Nikaveratiya.

He looked into the wellbeing of the Chief Incumbent Shasthrapathi Ven. Dombagolle Dhammarama Thero.

Vidyayathanadhipathi of the Sri Palitha Pirivena in Samadarapitiya, Nikaveratiya, the Anunayaka of the Sri Lanka Ramagna Nikaya, Rajakiya Panditha Ven. Galapitiyagama Vimaladhamma Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Sigiri Rajamaha Vihara in Raththallegama Ven. Thumbullegama Sri Sumananayaka Thero and the Maha Sangha chanted pirith and blessed the President. 

Sirisena also laid the foundation stone for the four-storeyed building at Jayanthi Maha Vidyalaya, Nikaveratiya, built at a cost of Rs. 18 million, under the ‘Langama Palasa – Hondama Pasala’ program.

The President presented gifts to students B.M. Thiyumi Thasanga and B.M. Amanda Basnayake, who received the school’s highest marks at the last scholarship exam.

Chief Minister of the Wayamba Province Dassanayake, Deputy Minister Indika Bandaranayake, Chairman of SLFP Youth Front Bandara, UNP Organiser of Nikaveratiya H.P. Thennakoon and member of the Wayamba Provincial Council Rajapaksha were among those who attended the event.