News
JVP accuses Speaker of stuffing family members into whatever high posts available
By Saman Indrajith
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena may be able to stay in his position by mustering a majority to defeat the no-faith motion against him, but he would never be able to get re-elected, JVP/NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday.
The level of abuse of power for personal gain by Speaker Abeywardena was unprecedented in Parliament history, Dissanayake said, participating in the debate on the no-faith motion against the Speaker.
“Abeywardena always acted partially towards the government. When Ranil Wickremesinghe and Basil Rajapaksa took oaths as MPs, Abeywardena rose from his chair but when some other MPs took their oaths he remained in his chair.
“Abeywardena filled Parliament’s vacant posts by recruiting his kith and kin. He and his family acted as parasites of this system. His brother Wasantha Yapa Abeywardena is his Private Secretary, another brother Sarath Yapa Abeywardena is a Coordinating Secretary, brother-in-law Premananda Kumasaru is another Coordinating Secretary, another brother Indunil Yapa Abeywardena is the Media Secretary, son Chameera C Yapa Abeywardena is Public Relations Officer. In addition to these posts, one of his sons was appointed to the post of Chairman of the Lotteries Board by the Finance Minister. During his tenure whenever a Parliament delegation was to represent in foreign tours, it became a delegation representing the Yapa family.
In addition, the Speaker also held the post of Chairman of the Development Coordination Committee in his area. This post is an extension of the Executive. How could the head of legislature become an extension of the executive?
There were many more reasons for the removal of Abeywardena than what was stated in the motion of no-faith against the Speaker. Even if the government defeated the motion, people knew the truth and would defeat him at the next election, Dissanayake said.
NPP Parliamentarian Asoka Ranwala who was appointed the 22nd Speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament, on 21st November has resigned from his position today [13], in the wake of the controversy surrounding his educational qualifications.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has officially appointed members to the Port City Economic Commission.
Accordingly Harsha Amarasekera, President’s Counsel, has been appointed as the Chairman while Damien Amal Cabraal, Mohan Ray Abeywardena, Sanjaya Kulatunga, and Dr. Harsha Subasinghe were appointed as members of the Port City Economic Commission
The official letters of appointment were handed over to the members by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (13).
“We will not allow the trust the people have placed in us to be undermined in any way,” stated President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a meeting with the heads of state media today (13).
He further emphasised, “Regardless of their status in government, if mistakes are made, we will not hesitate to take appropriate action.”
The President further explained:
“For more than seven decades, the people of this nation have built and dismantled various governments. For the first time, we stand with a profound understanding of the historic mandate entrusted to us and the National People’s Power on two occasions.
The people placed their faith in the National People’s Power (NPP) government, hoping for a standardised and stable country. We will not tarnish that extraordinary trust, even by the slightest misconduct.
Simply put, our government is not here to shield anyone who errs, for any reason. Be it within the broader framework of the country or within our administration, anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will face consequences. We will not hesitate to act decisively and at the right time. In essence, our government will not shield anyone who makes a mistake, regardless of the reason. Whether the mistake occurs within the country or at any level within our government, we will not hesitate to take decisive action. Every necessary step will be taken at the appropriate time without delay.”
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the trust placed in them by the people, who have endured decades of deception. He pledged to work tirelessly to build a better nation.
The Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, Director-General of Government Information, Harsha Bandara, and the heads of state media were present at the meeting.
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