UPFA minority parties claim SLFP MPs given portfolios to cover up Govt.’s corrupt activities
Tuesday, 24 March 2015 00:44
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Minority parties of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) yesterday interpreted the ministerial appointments of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs of the recently formed National Government as an attempt to cover up the corrupt activities of the Government.
Addressing a news conference yesterday MP Dinesh Gunawardane said: “SLFP MPs who went to the Bribery Commission against the Central Bank Governor for allowing the corrupt deal have been appointed as ministers of the National Government today. This is absurd. The Central Bank bond fiasco was one of the largest corrupt deals that has taken place in our country. The functioning of the Central Bank while the Governor is on leave is not beneficial to the banking system. The Prime Minister had taken over the Central Bank which was under the purview of the Finance Minister earlier. Therefore, the Prime Minister should take responsibility.”
Gunawardane also pointed out that under such circumstances they could approve the appointments of SLFP MPS as Ministers of the Government and said the move was against the franchise given to the UPFA.
Meanwhile, UPFA MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara, who was also present at this media briefing, said that under the current circumstances MP Gunawardane should be appointed as the Opposition Leader while claiming that it was unethical for the SLFP to hold both Cabinet ministerial posts as well as the position of the Opposition Leader.
“This National Government is not a genuine National Government but a coalition government of the UNP and SLFP. Therefore now the present Opposition Leader will not be able to criticise ministers or the Government, so if the Speaker calls for a new Opposition Leader, we will not hesitate to name Mr. Gunawardane,” Nanayakkara said.
MP Wimal Weerawansa and Western Provincial Councillor Udaya Gammanpila were also present at this news conference.
