SB rushes to Ranjan’s defense

The Government yesterday defended Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake who is marred with controversy for verbally abusing a Government servant over the phone. Social Empowerment and Welfare Minister S. B. Dissanayake defended his Deputy Minister who was filmed by media while he verbally abused a Government servant last week, appealing for journalists to focus on the actor-turned-politician’s “good qualities” and turned the blame on the media for highlighting the issue. 

Dissanayake claimed that Ramanayake’s the outburst at the Divulapitiya Divisional Secretary should be viewed as a personal issue where the Deputy Minister had no control of his emotions.

Highlighting the “good side” of Ramanayake, who doesn’t abuse his ministerial powers or State resources, Dissanayake said his deputy was in a situation where he couldn’t control his emotions in public.

Ramanayaka was blamed by different parties for his conduct at the Divulapitiya Divisional Secretary which he was visited after inspecting a soil mining matter which has disturbed the residents in the area for the last few years. Dissanayake also said that the media has a responsibility to not repeat or telecast such incidents if they consider it wrong.

“Media asks us if there is a difference between how the previous Government and the current Government treat Government servants. If the media sees this as wrong, why repeat the incident in every news bulletin,” he claimed.

The Minister further said that he has already spoken to Ramanayake about the incident and advised him to control himself in public matters.

“I have also spoken to that Division Secretary and Sri Lanka Administrative Services Association to settle the matter. I hope Ramanayake will take action to overcome the situation,” he said.