Duty of Opposition to point out govt’s shortcomings -PM

The government as a responsible administration is always prepared to listen to the voice of the Opposition. It is the duty and responsibility of the Opposition to point out any shortcomings on the part of the government, said Prime Minister D M Jayaratne.

The Prime Minister was addressing a daham hamuwa held at the Sri Dharmapalarama Viharaya, Mount Lavinia on Sunday to mark the presentation of the act of appointment to Most Ven Kapuduwa Nandasiri Thera who has been elevated to the post of Adhikarana Sanghanayake Thera with the honorary title Sri Saranapala Vashavathansha Saranakeerthi Sri Vishudhananda by the Amarapura sector of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha.

Prime Minister Jayaratne presented the scroll bearing the act of appointment to the prelate, while Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe presented the Vijinipatha. Prime Minister Jayaratne said constructive criticism by the Opposition would enable the government to tread on the correct path.

He said no one should try to drag politics into matters concerning religion, whatever political differences they may have.

The Prime Minister said there had been a heartening environment in all sectors in the country with the dawn of the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi.

“Acts of misconduct had considerably diminished in the country in recent times. It is the spiritual development gained which enabled the country to achieve this progressive trend,” the Prime Minister said.

He said Sri Lanka is the only country which had preserved Theravada Buddhism in its pristine glory to date. “This was made possible by the commitment made by the Maha Sangha.”

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has implemented several programmes aimed to preserve Buddhism in this country and foster moral and spiritual development among the Buddhists. People should always try to gain merit and foster spiritual values by engaging in good deeds, he said.

The Prime Minister also described Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as a leader who engaged in religious activities with close links with the temple.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe referring to the comment made by the Prime Minister on the Opposition's role, said the Opposition always engaged in debate with that duty and responsibility in mind. He also stressed the need to obtain opposition views before the formulation of proposals by the government.

Most Ven Aggamaha Panditha Mahopadyaya Ambalangoda Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Amarapura sector of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Viharaya, Most Ven Aggamaha Panditha Kotugoda Dhammavasa Thera, President Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha, Ven Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, Ven Muruttettuwe Ananda Thera, Karu Jayasuriya and UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake were also present.