‘I got permission to go abroad’

I had to file an application to hold the C’wealth Forum on Local Govt. Prez and the PM knew about it

Local Government Minister Faizer Musthapha told Parliament yesterday that he went on an official visit to Malta with the permission of President Maithripala Sirisena to attend the Commonwealth Forum on Local Government .

He said this when answering a question asked by Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake last week about his visit abroad.

“Mr. Dissanayake alleged that I fled the country without obtaining permission to go abroad. Sri Lanka had to file an application to host the Commonwealth Forum on Local Government and I sought Cabinet approval for the application and to visit Malta. The Cabinet and the Prime Minister are aware of my foreign visit and as such the allegation that I went abroad without the Prime minister’s approval is false. I also obtained the the President’s permission,” the minister said.

Joint opposition MP Sisira Jayakody said the minister should focus on holding the local government elections before thinking about Malta.

JO parliamentary group leader Dinesh Gunawardene said it was no use of talking about 25 per cent women candidates without holding the LG elections to elect them. “Don’t you know that opportunity to declare elections today has been thwarted by the court case,” he asked the minister.

Mr. Dissanayake said the legal action against the delimitation commission was a political exercise by the SLFP to postpone the local polls. The minister said there was no political game to postpone the poll and than any citizen had the right to file legal action if the delimitation affects him or her adversely. “I have acted in good faith to ensure that the elections are held but some are trying to make me a Billy boy with two no-confidence motion being brought against me. However nothing will deter me as I have done nothing wrong,” he said.

JO MP Rohitha Abeywardeme said the UNP’S backbench MPS were the ones who said minister Musthapha had gone abroad without permission.

The minister said anyone could say anything but the truth is that he went overseas after obtaining permission.