MIXED FEELINGS IN HOUSE ABOUT RAVI’S EXIT
Atense situation ensued following the resignation of former Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who will now sit as a backbencher in Parliament, yesterday afternoon.
The trouble began when Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan completed his speech lauding the example set by former Minister Karunanayake. “Minister Karunanayake was a great man as he has set a good example by resigning from his post even before being found guilty,” Sampanthan declared.
Half of the MPS here should resign tomorrow itself as they all face charges of corruption - Mangala
Leader of the joint opposition Dinesh Gunawardene, who seemed upset over the opposition leaders speech, stood up to declare that Mr. Sampanthan had made a shameless speech.“the Opposition Leader’s speech was shameless one,” he said when members in the government benches stood up protesting against the comment.
Pandemonium reigned thereafter with members of both sides rushing to enter the well of Parliament. However things calmed down after a few minutes.
I am happy as the Chairman of the COPE as it was I who presented the report of the special investigation on the bond issue to the House - Handunetti
Ministers and MPS who voiced their opinion on the resignation of Mr. Karunanayake thereafter had mixed opinions about it.
Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera said that following the precedent set by Mr Karunanayake at least half of the MPS in Parliament should resign. “Half of the MPS here should resign tomorrow itself as they all face charges of corruption,” the minister charged.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the resignation of the former FM signalled a welcome change in the attitude of government representatives. “We remember the comments made by some MPS when the presidential commission was appointed. They said it was appointed just to sweep the bond issue under the carpet but what took place in Parliament today has proved them wrong,” he said. Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Sunil Handunetti said resignation o f Minister Karunanayake should be viewed as a victory of the people. “It is a victory for the people as one of the many reports presented by parliamentary committees that had been set up to unearth corruption such as the Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) has finally yielded results. We have seen many COPE reports being presented in the House but no action was taken with regard to them. However we are happy that at least this report has yielded a result, he said.
We remember the comments made by some MPS when the presidential commission was appointedamaraweera
“I am happy as the Chairman of the COPE as it was I who presented the report of the special investigation on the bond issue to the House,” he said. However he said the bond issue does not end with the resignation of a minister.
The Opposition Leader’s speech was shameless one - Dinesh
Joint opposition MP Sisira Jayakody was of the opinion that the resignation of former FM Ravi Karunanayake was nothing but a hoax. “The minister’s resignation is only a temporary move to placate the public and everyone concerned should make a note of it,” he said.