I AM FULLY OPPOSED TO NATIONAL GOVT. – PRESIDENT
MOST GOVERNMENTS WHICH CAME TO POWER DESTROYED PEOPLE’S ASPIRATIONS
President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said he was fully against the forming of a ‘National Government’ as it’s only an objective to increase the number cabinet ministers and their perks.
Expressing his displeasure over the proposals to form a national government in his ‘National Day’ address to the nation at the Galle Face Green, President Sirisena asked how ethical was it to form such administration with a political party that represents a single MP in Parliament.
“I see the proposal about a national government in the media. It is necessary to ask how ethical is to claim the formation of a national government by joining with a political party which has only a single Member of Parliament. I only see that as an attempt to increase the number of ministers and increase in the facilities of the ministers and MPS. From what I have seen in the media, I strongly disagree to the idea of proposed national government,” he said.
The government celebrated the 71st ‘National – Independence Day’ celebrations in grand style yesterday at the Galle Face green with the participation of the Maldivian President, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and his wife Fazna Ahmed as the Chief Guests.
The leadership of the country is bestowed upon a certain individual to protect the special sections of the society such as underprivileged, innocents, widows, refugees, disabled children and women, farmers, fishing community and labours from harm and exploitation and to provide them economic, spiritual and intellectual freedom.
I believe that the people in the North lived freely during the last four years, after 35 year. We should understand the gravity of the ethnic issue without ridiculing or slandering the concepts of national unity and reconciliation. We should not forget we are living on mound of ash, under which lies a simmering fire.
We established provincial councils more than 30 years ago. Today, from annual budget allocations to provincial councils, only 15% is left to development and capital funding. Of these, recurrent expenditure and maintenance costs are 85%. So, we need to act immediately to transform this situation. I see the failure to hold provincial council elections for the last one and a half years was a challenge to democracy. NGOS do not come forward to talk about that. There are 1.6 million public servants in this country. According to survey reports, the efficiency of public service is only 30%, whereas it should be 70%. I see that the mistake is not of the public servants. They do not have the proper guidance.
The poverty ratio of the country has been reported as 6.7%. Yet, more than 50% of the population is suffering from relative poverty. The daily wage of this population is reportedly less than Rs.1,000 a day. One child out of four is suffering from malnutrition. We know the need for expanding the export earnings that has been decreased. In an era where the world is moving towards a digital economy we are in a threshold of obtaining the essential knowledge for the nation.
The economic racketeers have already made Sri Lanka a centre of illicit drug smuggling. As I believe the development of a county should not be measured by the massive buildings, highways, or different kinds of market places trading in various consumer goods. In addition, since 2015, we completely removed the fear that was prevalent in the country. We won that situation. How difficult it is to remove corruption? I see a scarcity of honest politicians. Therefore, on this 71st national independent day, we must determine to make Sri Lanka a powerful and prosperous nation in Asia that cannot be undermined.
I wish to remember once again, the war heroes who made the maximum sacrifice in the 30 year old conflict, the disabled and members of their families. Two Sri Lankan war heroes serving in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission died last week. I express my condolences over their demise on this occasion and extend the honour of the whole nation.
A free verse written by Kumaratunga Munidasa says;
‘Ma Desa Hela Desa, Ma Desa Hela Resa. Ma Basa Hela Basa, Meya Mage Hisa Mata.’
I believe this is the essence of our future vision.
A stately parade by three armed forces, the police, civil security department and cadet corp and a colourful cultural display were followed in addition to the 21 gun salute to President Sirisena.
President Maithripala Sirisena with other chief guests, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, his wife Ms. Fazna Ahmed, Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa, Provincial Councils, Local Government and Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardana and first lady Jayanthi Sirisena participated at yesterday’s National Day celebrations.