Ranil cautions MPs of being labelled as ‘Rogues protecting rogues’

Wednesday, 22 April 2015 01:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday in Parliament cautioned MPs of being labelled as “rogues who protect rogues.” In a speech made amidst a flood of jeers and objections, the Premier urged MPs not to use the Parliament to protect rogues. He said those who were clean need n

ot worry about any action against bribery and corruption. The Premier said the youth of the country were asking whether rogues were trying to protect rogues. The MPs were also asked that if President Rajapaksa had agreed to respond to Bribery Commission allegations through his lawyers why were certain Opposition MPs overly concerned. The Premier added that people were demanding proper investigations into wide-scale bribery and corruption. On the other hand he said MPs were urging proper protection of their rights and he agreed with both these positions. He said that after 10 years, the Interim Government succeeded in bringing down the cost of living thanks to its efforts to eliminate corruption. Premier also reminded Opposition MPs not to blame their leader (President Maithripala Sirisena). He also reminded MPs that there was a LTTE threat against Sirisena because he worked for the protection of the country’s unity but after he became the Common Opposition Presidential Candidate security was withdrawn. “Who withdrew Sirisena’s security,” queried Wickremesinghe. However, the people protected Sirisena, the Premier said, adding that adequate security had been ensured for both ex-Presidents Rajapaksa and Kumaratunga.

Maithri, Mahinda agree to meet

President Maithripala Si

risena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa have agreed to meet to discuss several issues, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said yesterday. The SLFP said that Rajapaksa agreed to a request made on behalf of the party to meet the President at a mutually agreed location. SLFP MP and Former Minister T. B. Ekanayake said that the date for the meeting would be fixed once the agenda was fixed for the meeting. He said that the preparations of the SLFP to face the parliamentary elections would be part of the agenda of the talks.