DARK DAYS OF DESPAIR ARE OVER

The presentation of the Vote on Account is an important step in restoring democracy in the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Starting the debate on the Vote on Account, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe pointed out that the political coup which lasted for fifty days has proven that the power to control public finance fully lies with Parliament and nowhere else.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also said that the Vote on Account had to be presented due to the 50 day Constitutional coup.

“Everything was in place to present Budget 2019 last November. But, the October 26 Constitutional crisis obstructed it,” he said

It was clearly proven by the circumstances that occurred, the management of public finance is with Parliament. One needs a majority in Parliament to form a government, and that Parliament controls public finance. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s actions and the Supreme Court decision also proved the power reigned by the House.

When someone gets defeated at a No Confidence Motion vote, they should walk away,” Wickremesinghe said.

PM Wickremesinghe said that he has instructed the Home Affairs Ministry and Finance Minister to encourage the District and Divisional Secretaries to resume the Gamperaliya programme, which was suspended during the political crisis by next week.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that if political stability was not restored, the government servants would have been deprived of their salaries by January 1, 2019.

[Fuel prices reduced]

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday informed Parliament that fuel prices will be reduced. Accordingly, 92 and 95 Octane will be reduced by Rs.10, Auto Diesel by Rs.5 and Super Diesel by Rs.10. The new fuel prices will now stands at Octane 92 at Rs.125, Octane 95 at Rs.149, Auto Diesel at Rs.101 and Super Diesel at Rs.121.

[PM condemns conduct of ‘Black Media’]

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the conduct of some press and media stations which he referred to as “Black Media.”

Premier Wickremesinghe said that a debate on these “Black Media” will be held in January in the House. “The names of these Black Media will be listed out from top to bottom. I hope the media will give us a live coverage for this debate. Remember, two can play this game,” the Prime Minister said.

Wickremesinghe also said that legal action could be taken against some of the press and media stations that have carried wrong details on the proposed names by the Prime Minister for the Cabinet.

“Some press reports said that I proposed MP Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa’s name for the Cabinet. But, I did not. These media stations better get their cheque books ready to pay penalties for such irresponsible reporting. Are you going to correct this story? Are you going to broadcast my speech today?” he questioned.