Vote on Account delay will affect prices during Avurudu - PM | Daily News
‘Opposition playing vindictive politics’ :

Vote on Account delay will affect prices during Avurudu - PM

People will have difficulty celebrating the New Year due to high prices because Opposition manoeuvres were delaying the Vote on Account which would have stabilised living costs, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa charged yesterday. The Prime Minister was addressing the Grama Niladhari Convention in Kandy yesterday.

Rajapaksa pointed out that the Government had decided to delay tabling the motion for the Vote on Account due to the objections raised by the Opposition in Parliament. The Vote on Account was to be presented to Parliament in order to pay off the debt left behind by the previous government and also provide relief measures for the people.

“A large sum is outstanding to pay off the purchases of the previous government. There are also monies due to be paid for contracts. Money is also needed for the daily requirements of the people. The previous government has failed to pay back the loans taken by them for this purpose during their tenure. With the Opposition objecting to the Vote on Account motion, we have withdrawn it and, as a result, the people are the ones who will face difficulties in providing for their families during the upcoming New Year season,” the Premier said.

“The MPs must always think of the welfare of the people, irrespective of political party loyalties. The Opposition should not oppose everything that the government does.

Due to the vindictive nature of the Opposition, they objected to the Vote on Account motion and as a result it will eventually affect the people,” Rajapaksa argued. “As a Government, we are committed to doing everything that is possible for the welfare of the people,” he declared.

The Prime Minister said that Grama Seva Niladhari officers should be committed to serving the people as they are involved in every aspect of people’s lives from birth to death. He said that in the past, Grama Niladhari officers were appointed from the same village. However, today Grama Niladhari officers have to work in other areas and as a result there are occasions when they fail to arrive on time to attend to the issues of the people.

The Prime Minister said that one of the biggest issues facing Grama Seva officers is the lack of a proper service code. He noted that the President has realized this shortcoming and very soon this issue would be rectified.

State Minister Lohan Ratwatte said their political party (the SLPP) had succeeded in producing a President within a very short period since its establishment. Hence, he said, under the guidance of the President and Prime Minister, they hoped to make positive changes that would be felt by the people. He said politics is not important to them but the current government will work with commitment to ensure positive changes are implemented which are beneficial to the people.

State Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that it was the Grama Seva Officers who directly deal with the people at ground level and therefore, their honesty was of great importance.

State Minister Keheliya Rambukwella noted that the role of the Grama Seva officers was highly important. Under the strong leadership of the President and the Prime Minister, the Grama Seva officers play the main role as they deal with the people on a personal level at ground level in implementing the Government’s drive to eradicate poverty. The Government had increased Samurdhi beneficiaries by 600,000 and as a country heading towards development, this was truly commendable.

The Anunayakas of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, MPs Anuradha Jayaratne and Ananda Aluthgamage, Provincial Councillors and a large gathering of Grama Niladhari officers were present on this occasion.


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