Dec 13, Colombo: Sri Lanka government's Chief Whip, Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle says that the government is still stable and it is also going to win the budget on this Friday despite the crossover of four SLMC MPs. Minister Fernandopulle made these comments speaking to the government information department officials yesterday.
The Minister revealed that the actual reason for Minister Rauff Hakeem to cross over to the opposition was the government's refusal to place the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission under the Post and Telecommunication Ministry which was headed by Minister Hakeem.
Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) is the institute that has the authority to give license to the electronic media and telecommunication services in Sri Lanka which bring more money to Sri Lanka. Minister Rauff Hakim's has argued why it was not under the Telecommunication Ministry.
The Minister also noted that Mr. Hakeem has asked 1,000 acres of land in Pothuvil to be handed over to Muslims. However, he said that a date was given to look into the matter since the government cannot release land without studying the situation.
One political analyst told ColomboPage "Rauff Hakeem was talking about his Ministry and he was speaking for Muslim people. Because of that, both reasons given by Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle may not be correct."
"These kind of political games will destroy our country and all the politicians are responsible for that," the analyst further noted.
However, analysts say loss of SLMC’s four votes at the final voting to approve next year’s budget will not be sufficient to defeat the budget. The first approval took place last month with a majority of 16 votes with 102 members against and 118 in favor.
Colombo Page
The Minister revealed that the actual reason for Minister Rauff Hakeem to cross over to the opposition was the government's refusal to place the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission under the Post and Telecommunication Ministry which was headed by Minister Hakeem.
Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) is the institute that has the authority to give license to the electronic media and telecommunication services in Sri Lanka which bring more money to Sri Lanka. Minister Rauff Hakim's has argued why it was not under the Telecommunication Ministry.
The Minister also noted that Mr. Hakeem has asked 1,000 acres of land in Pothuvil to be handed over to Muslims. However, he said that a date was given to look into the matter since the government cannot release land without studying the situation.
One political analyst told ColomboPage "Rauff Hakeem was talking about his Ministry and he was speaking for Muslim people. Because of that, both reasons given by Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle may not be correct."
"These kind of political games will destroy our country and all the politicians are responsible for that," the analyst further noted.
However, analysts say loss of SLMC’s four votes at the final voting to approve next year’s budget will not be sufficient to defeat the budget. The first approval took place last month with a majority of 16 votes with 102 members against and 118 in favor.
Colombo Page
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