PRESIDENT AT PRESENTATION OF AKTHAPATHRA:

High posts given to individuals not to feather own nests

Will do justice by the masses:

Chaminda Perera in Mulatiyana

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said it was against all ethics for any individual to obtain personal benefits by abusing their high office. “There is a procedure to prosecute persons who are holding top posts, if they are involved in wrongdoing,” he said. The President said top posts are offered to persons to obtain a better service to the country and society and not to get them to serve themselves.

“We have never taken personal objectives into account when posts are given to persons,” he said.

The President was speaking at the presentation of Akthapahra to Mahanayake Thera of Shayomapali Maha Nikaya - Rohana Chapter Most Ven Gombaddara Sri Nandarama Thera at Gombaddara Sri Shailaramaya Temple in Mulatiyana yesterday.

President Rajapaksa presented a replica of the Chetiya to the Mahanayake Thera while the Sannas Patra was presented by Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Allahapperuma.

The Viginipatha was presented to the Thera by Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

President Rajapaksa said posts are given to persons to provide a committed service to the country and not serve their personal interests.

“They should give up their personal agendas when they move up the social ladder,” he said.

The President said he was of the view that justice should be done by the masses.

“We won’t hesitate to do justice by the masses. There is a procedure to prosecute persons in top posts when they indulge in wrong doings, he said.

The legislators can submit an impeachment motion against the President, if he is involved in misconduct and the incumbent President is not in a position to dissolve or adjourn Parliament after it is presented to the Speaker, he said.

The President said that the Chief Justice of the country has to face the same process when he or she is involved in misconduct.

He said the Speaker appoints a Parliamentary Select Committee comprising members of ruling and opposition party members to investigate the charges .

This Committee must forward its report to Parliament within one month, if Parliament does not extend its deadline. The President said that cases are heard in courts exparte, when the accused do not appear in court and judgement is also given in absentia.

He said the government was faced with a number of difficulties when the country is being developed after eliminating terrorism.

He said that an Opposition politician in the Matara district has called for an inquiry by the Commonwealth Association into the current issue.

These politicians who sow the seeds of hatred and malice have started their campaign to sabotage the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting scheduled to be held in the country next year, the President said.

He was of the view that these politicians should give up their petty and personal agendas and work for the country’s betterment . The President said the thera played a pivotal role in the political and social revival that was led by former Prime Minister S W R D Bandaranaike in 1956.

He said that the thera made his regular contribution towards the annual pirith chanting ceremony organised by former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike at the Kataragama sacred area on the eve new year.

The President said the thera followed in the footsteps of erudite Buudhists monks of the South of the caliber of Ven Kamburupitiya Vanarathana thera and Ven Aththudawe Sri Rahula Thera to provide his service for the uplift of Sasana and the society. Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Parivenadhipathi of Pepiliyana Sunethra Devi Pirivena Ven . Medagoda Abeyathissa Thera also spoke.