Maithri & Ranil have failed to meet aspirations of voters

At a meeting held to mark the 30th anniversary of Ravaya at the Committee Room ‘A’ of the BMICH yesterday (16th) the JVP leader Anura Dissanayaka said in front of President Maithripala Sirisena and prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the government had failed to meet the aspirations of those who had voted to oust the Rajapaksas and bring in a so-called ‘yahapalana’ government.

Mr. Dissanayake stating that massive spending of public funds on politicians couldn’t be condoned under any circumstances said that the government was planning to spend approximately Rs. 2,436 million to hire luxury vehicles for 58 MPs. 

He asked the President and the Prime Minister, who were present, “How could this be compatible with yahapalana promises?” Mr. Dissanayaka pointed out that the taxpayer had to pay approximately Rs. 700,000 for a month for each MP and at the end of the term, the vehicles would have to be returned to the company which owned them and asked whether it was not an utter waste and a sham.

The JVP Leader told the meeting, with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister attending, that the controversial agreement between the Agriculture Ministry and a businessman under which a building had been hired for a staggering monthly rent has incurred a loss of a large amount of money to the government. He pointed out that several hundred million rupees had been paid in advance as rent for a year but the Ministry had not moved into the building yet.

Mr. Dissanayaka also severely criticized the government regarding the appointment of ministers, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers contrary to the 19 Amendment to the Constitution which restricted the number of ministers and deputies to 30 and 40, respectively.

The JVP Leader said in spite of the change of government, those who had been in power still remained very powerful and were still challenging the current administration. He also told that the people who voted for the ‘Yahapalana’ government couldn’t be satisfied regarding the judiciary process being carried out and cited several cases to justify his assertion that an influential section of the judiciary had been cooperating with those who had previously governed the country.

He said those who were involved in frauds and corruption and still are influential and challenge the administration include a few hundred military personnel, police, public servants, politicians, the media as well as the underworld.