Mangala’s allegations baseless - Media Minister

Rohan Mathes and Irangika Range

COLOMBO: Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa categorically denied all allegations levelled at the Government by the dissident ministers, describing them as fantastic, nonsensical and utterly baseless.

Addressing journalists at the weekly-Cabinet press briefing at the Information Department yesterday, Yapa observed that at a time the country was being steered on the right path to prosperity through the implementation of the ‘Mahinda Chintanaya’, a conspiracy was being hatched to cripple the Government.

However, he stressed that the Government was now stable and there is no reason whatsoever for a general election until 2010.

“We will win convincingly at that election too. Our Government which was once a minority Government, now enjoys a distinct majority in Parliament, and has a bright future. We will not only solve the ethnic issue, but will also implement all mega development projects included in the Mahinda Chintanaya for the prosperity of the nation,” Yapa added.

He said it is plain for everyone to see that the country is rapidly progressing in multi dimensions, with a new ‘Thinking’ and a new vision introduced by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Minister noted that the Armed Forces are moving forward victoriously with the LTTE retreating in ignominy. As clearly displayed at the recent Deyata Kirula Exhibition, no individual was observed to be under the influence of liquor and misbehaved.

“It was a paradigm shift from the past and a new way of life and philosophy as envisioned in the Mahinda Chintanaya. No one could disrupt this trend now,” he said.

Fielding questions from journalists as to the grievances and predicament of former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Yapa was of the view that Samaraweera’s discontentment had only materialised after the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

“He had been bestowed with two crucial ministries by the President, when his peers had only one.To his knowledge, Samaraweera had never ever aired any of his grievances at any time before this.

“I have never ever experienced the so-called interference by anyone in my ministry.

“This is the first time that I am hearing of an extraordinary demand where an individual is presenting conditions which can come only from a political party.

“His allegations are totally baseless and a joke, and needs no response from us,” he said.