Chandrasekeran's statement does not reflect Govt stance - Chief Govt
Whip
Uditha Kumarasinghe Irangika Range and Sandasen
Marasinghe
KOTTE: Chief Government Whip Minister Dinesh Gunawardene told
Parliament yesterday the statement made by the Upcountry People's Front
Leader Minister P. Chandrasekeran in Parliament does not reflect the
Government's stand.
"This is the stand expressed by Minister Chandrasekeran as a party
leader.
As a party leader, he has a sole right to make such a statement." The
Minister made this observation in response to a question raised by
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and JVP MP Vijitha Herath as to
whether the statement made by Minister Chandrasekeran on the political
crisis created in Tamil Nadu was the Government's stand.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said, he clearly expressed the
Government's stance on the Tamil Nadu issue in Parliament on Tuesday.
Therefore, Chandrasekeran's statement does not reflect the Government
stance.
National Freedom Front MP Wimal Weerawansa said Minister
Chandrasekeran made this statement while enjoying all perks as a
Government Minister. Chandrasekeran wants to stop the war by speaking
against the Government. We can accept if this Minister makes this
statement by resigning from his ministerial portfolio. It is very
unethical to extend support to the acts of the Tamil Nadu people by
enjoying the Government's perks. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe
said this looks like a ministerial statement made as Chandrasekeran is a
Government Minister.
Cabinet has a collective responsibility Chandrasekeran is seated in
this House as a Government Minister. Therefore, a question has arisen
whether there is the collective responsibility of the Cabinet. Minister
Dinesh Gunawardene said if Chandrasekeran is a Government Minister he
has a right to make such a statement as a party leader. This is not a
Government statement. Minister Chandrasekeran said he made that
statement as a party leader. "I am a Government Minister. But I have my
own political party. Various views were expressed in Parliament on
Tuesday regarding the statements made by me on the Tamil Nadu issue.
Therefore, I decided to make this statement in Parliament today as a
party leader."
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