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Ministers will not be given houses in Colombo: President
Colombo, November 1 (Daily Mirror) - President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said recently that ministers will not be given houses in Colombo claiming that they must go to villages and attend to people's issues.
Speaking at a political rally in Matara, he said the government will appoint a Cabinet of Ministers less than 25 adding that their privileges will be cut down remarkably.
"The government will not provide houses to the ministers in Colombo. They must come to the villages and look into issues in the village. They must work with the people," he said.
The President said the ministries will be assigned scientifically and added that subject knowledge and experience will be considered when assigning ministries.
"We will not assign ministries on families of other allegiances. In the past, ministries were created to suit the family and their cronies but not for the benefit of the country," he said.
The President also said a mechanism will be in place where all MPs could contribute to the respective ministries voluntarily as no MP could be cornered in parliament.
Comments - 58
Comments - Ministers will not be given houses in Colombo: President
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Dolly Dias Friday, 01 November 2024 09:12 PM
Will you build homes for them to stay in the village? Dolly
103 34
wickrama Wijayasiri Friday, 01 November 2024 10:12 PM
Yes at their own expense, if they do not have one already? For some people the glass is always half empty!
3 30
Tissa Friday, 01 November 2024 10:30 PM
No need. Those elected have their homes in their electorates already.
3 36
Ranjit Friday, 01 November 2024 10:50 PM
Were the t not living in a house now? They can use that house as their residence. No need to build houses for them
1 22
Thiru Saturday, 02 November 2024 03:43 AM
They can rent out houses for cheap rate in the villages. They are ready to serve the people. So why are they living in Colombo. AKD should reduce the salary of MPs too.
2 22
Kirihāmi Saturday, 02 November 2024 04:45 AM
You've answered your own question, right? In that case, does 'Dolly' mean 'yes' or 'no,' Dolly?
2 4
nobody Saturday, 02 November 2024 04:49 AM
You can build a house, but never a home, IMHO.
0 5
R.K. Gunasena - Gamampilla's close friend Saturday, 02 November 2024 12:42 PM
What for? MRs Ministers and MPs. looted in millions and billions, they (village folks) don't have their own houses in the respective villages have enjoyed houses in Colombo, what a waste? Curses will fall into Mahinda and family.
14 6
Karalasingam Sivalingam Friday, 01 November 2024 09:40 PM
Well said AKD. Ministers and MPP should go to their villages and attend to peoples' needs instead of enjoying life in 5 Star Hotels in Colombo.
10 118
Mohandev Friday, 01 November 2024 10:37 PM
No there are plenty of cheap inns with massage parlors etc in every town payable daily. In Colombo they can work from Madiwela quarters. Am I being delirious?
1 4
Man Saturday, 02 November 2024 06:27 AM
Then, why did he did he get a house from MPs quarters while having a house in Kadawatha?
4 24
Tissa Fernando Saturday, 02 November 2024 09:45 AM
This means the existing system will continue to require MP's endorsement for people's routine requirements. People come to MPs to influence the government departments to expedite their routine requirements. Is that the system change? MPs should be in their areas to understand and prioritise the government spending in the areas assigned to him. He should know about employment status, crime details, public service issues , development opportunities, etc etc. But to attend fir routine requirements means continuation of same corrupt system.
5 3
Ranjan Friday, 01 November 2024 09:59 PM
AKD will scrape coconuts all alone staying in Colombo
99 35
wickrama Wijayasiri Friday, 01 November 2024 10:15 PM
Some people always talk about corruption. when they have no avenues open to them for nepotism.
4 4
Ranjit Friday, 01 November 2024 10:52 PM
Do you want the ministers also to join him in scrapping coconuts ?
1 8
Rukman Perera Saturday, 02 November 2024 10:28 PM
If they need to be in their electorate, then why appoint them as Ministers? Let them just be the MPs.
0 2
Mahila Saturday, 02 November 2024 01:06 AM
No!? They will come to attend Parliament at Kotte Regularly but spend majority of their time as MPs in their electorate!! That’s the Way!!??
5 9
nobody Saturday, 02 November 2024 04:52 AM
Who's going to eat all the 'coconut සම්බෝල?'
1 7
Sam Silva Friday, 01 November 2024 10:25 PM
We will wait and see.
1 10
Yohan Friday, 01 November 2024 10:26 PM
Practically this will be a problem for ministers and deputies to work smoothly as ministry offices are in colombo but for mps it can be removed as they should stay most of the time in their electorate. Anyway you cannot just do these things without passing an amendment to constitution. Check if it needs two third as abolition of former presidents benefits also cannot be done without ammending the constitution.
0 13
M Fernando Sunday, 03 November 2024 11:31 AM
Ministerial housing is not a constitutional issue any more than the right for any schoolkid to have three-square a day. Ministers get many allowances, they can use it if they want Colombo housing. If this is made a requirement, you will see how many are suddenly able to economise.
0 1
Gayan Friday, 01 November 2024 11:00 PM
Without giving perks promised to people, talking the perks of Ministers
5 13
Fernando Friday, 01 November 2024 11:39 PM
There seem to be so many apartments. So see for a 1 or 2 room locations with security and send them all there.
0 4
Jan Saturday, 02 November 2024 12:06 AM
Ministers should be close to their ministry and work for the whole country. Foreign minister to stay in village?
1 15
M Fernando Sunday, 03 November 2024 08:46 PM
By your logic then, foreign minister should live abroad ????? And Sri Lankan ambassadors should live in Sri Lanka.? Let them live in the electorate from which they contested. They get a vehicle, phone and fuel. If US President can talk to UK PM over video, why so difficult for our fellows ?
1 0
Suthan Saturday, 02 November 2024 01:21 AM
Well said, the whole government was a tamasha, employing relatives, b/f's G/fs as secretaries and a jolly good party in 5 star hotels like Rosy did. Time to treat the government as a serious business that runs the country and not a family business.
1 11
Be realistic Saturday, 02 November 2024 01:32 AM
How can they attend parliament sessions? They need to have a place in Colombo as well.
3 7
Banker Saturday, 02 November 2024 04:01 PM
Hello some staff those who are working in Colombo daily travel. So this one not so big issue
4 3
Kumar Saturday, 02 November 2024 01:48 AM
We are going from the sublime to the extreme. Or vice versa! He has appointed a number of academics to manage State institutions. With due regard to their academic qualifications, are they capable of managing these institutions?! Next question is, it’s all good to demand that they and the Ministers do all these institutional reforms and work. But offer no salary, no vehicle, no housing etc. is this a workable plan?! I don’t think so.
3 14
M Fernando Sunday, 03 November 2024 08:49 PM
Who said "no salary, no vehicle" ? You are misinterpreting the issue. He can have a Toyota, not a BMW. He can have a salary, no bribes or commissions/ kickbacks. Also, the minister should actually work.
0 2
Moda Katha Saturday, 02 November 2024 01:58 AM
Five days of the week where will they be?
0 8
M Fernando Sunday, 03 November 2024 08:51 PM
Hopefully, working in their electorate, on behalf of the people who elected them and not "doing the grand" in Colombo.
1 1
Mina Saturday, 02 November 2024 02:06 AM
You will be the first peoples president of this country . Your swearing in ceremony indicated what direction you head this country in the future. We are sure that you will develop this country.
10 6
Common man Saturday, 02 November 2024 02:35 AM
AHA, not a good idea. Don’t make these mistakes. For a minister to perform well, he needs to have all the facilities. He needs to have meetings, planning, consulting , attend parliament, making laws etc. etc, how can he do these by going into villages, looking into issues is not the leader's work, simply assign those and bring in monitoring and controlling mechanisms. To be an elite soldier you need to have a sophisticated weapon, you cannot send him with galkatas. Every minister’s outputs can affect many people’s lives or millions of rupees or the future of the country, so give them the best facilities to get the best results. Facilities are not for the person but for the position.
4 11
FredSnR Saturday, 02 November 2024 02:58 AM
When tourists come they like to go to villages and the countryside to see the real Sri Lanka not live in 5 star hotels which they have in their home country.How nice if they find nice clean villages with amenities and a Minister to greet them Very soon the city dwellers will also want to come to the village for the fresh air and nature and both will flourish.
4 5
Lion Saturday, 02 November 2024 03:07 AM
Well said AKD they should not be given houses in Colombo and all these years these ministries used to enjoy their life in Colombo and they rarely went to their electorate. Their life got cut off from the very people who send to the parliament. AKD you are a practical man who has wisdom to see far. Go on with your vision people of this stands behind you.
6 11
Sugandika Fonseka Saturday, 02 November 2024 03:11 AM
This is not correct approach. The Ministers have a national duty and need to work closely with the Ministry. Therefore they must be Colombo based. Pradeshiya Sabha members can work at the village level.
3 12
Basil Paranavitane Saturday, 02 November 2024 03:25 AM
It’s a very good idea, they must de having their own home from the village they came from well if they don’t have a home it should be the responsibility of the government to build one for them so they can attend to the needs of the people of that constituency from that home.
8 0
Lankaputha Saturday, 02 November 2024 04:46 AM
Can some one tell the number of ministers Deputy ministers State ministers Observing ministers if NPP is elected? Also if NPP could not get 50% of seats how the coalition government would share minister posts?
0 4
Dilky Ranasinghe Saturday, 02 November 2024 05:50 AM
Dear Hon AKD Grateful if you could appoint a small committee immediately how subjects of miniistries should be assigned scientifically and without overlapping. For example , put the subjects of Digital economy, digital transformation, Telecommunications, braoadcasting , ICT, Internet etc under Minisyry called Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation. Further Chairpersons of all independant Commissions/Authority should not be Permanent Secretary of a Minsistry(Policy Maker) . Policy makers should be separated from Regulators and Service Providers. Example Telecom Reg Commision (TRC) and ICT Authority.
0 2
Be realistic Saturday, 02 November 2024 06:02 AM
That's impractical and idealistic. Better to gut the parliament at this rate and turn it into housing for the poor!! Is it even possible to get any work done without traveling to Colombo? Let's be realistic.
2 8
Abd Saturday, 02 November 2024 06:33 AM
These kind of promises is good if could stick to it, most certainly impractical to not work out but once it’s breaks , this vedio will repeat,that would be more harmful to political image than giving houses,but now, government seriously needs focus on how to handle power of rice mafia, which hibernating till the opportunity arise to show its ugly head
0 6
Sambo Saturday, 02 November 2024 07:06 AM
Well said and well done. The previous ministers enjoyed luxury on the poor mans money ad did nothing but only arguing and fighting in parliament. They were paid to do just that.
3 10
UniDon Saturday, 02 November 2024 07:33 AM
Sorry Mr. Lalkantha, you are going to be homeless agian.
0 21
Sam M Saturday, 02 November 2024 07:42 AM
Looking at these only wealth youngsters able to survive in politics as cutting everything and will not be able attract good people on these posts, my point of view MPs and ministers have to be paid well to combat corruption and having good people in these positions.
3 9
M Fernando Sunday, 03 November 2024 08:54 PM
Yes, because that worked so well all this time, right?
0 0
Wathsi Saturday, 02 November 2024 07:59 AM
That means the Cabinet Ministers are to be served only to their respective villages? This kind of gallery talks are good for NPP's cheer squad in terms of personally attending their rallies, as well as washing their dirt in decent online platforms like DM. The ministers should be given a reasonable, low cost houses in the capital to serve better to the country needs in large, if we are to speed up the process of developing the country. NPP does not seems to be real when it comes to pushing the country to better.
2 12
Cecil Hedwige Saturday, 02 November 2024 08:16 AM
Way to go Mr President you are on the right track.Well done.
10 6
Dr. Derrick Wickramanayake Saturday, 02 November 2024 12:48 PM
Hats off Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, you will be our President for another ten years for sure. Please get all the rogues who robbed our money, recover the money and put them behind bars, this is our humble request.
9 8
Cecil Hedwige Saturday, 02 November 2024 08:16 AM
Way to go Mr President you are on the right track.Well done.
7 1
sam Saturday, 02 November 2024 08:21 AM
Surely they have their homes in villages!
2 2
melville perera Saturday, 02 November 2024 08:27 AM
they should be given houses taken on rent and rent paid by them
1 5
Boru Na... Atha.... Atha.... Atha.... (100% truth) Saturday, 02 November 2024 12:45 PM
Don't worry, NPP Ministers will occupy in their own houses, never occupy Government Quarters like MR's ministers enjoyed.
6 2
Mahila Saturday, 02 November 2024 08:39 AM
Very well-Articulated!!?? Well said, Keep it up!!?? Next item comes up is going to be Transportation and Luxury Vehicles!!?? Big Slice of Expenditure and also Inconvenience to Public, Large Convoys to be avoided AKD, wherever possible and saves Money too!!?? Hopefully Security which has become better, should Stabilize, Overall, throughout the country soon after elections!!??
4 3
Ananda Weerasekera Saturday, 02 November 2024 12:30 PM
The ministers are also MPs each of whom has MP's quarters in Madiwela. Jut because they become ministers, they are being given palatial buildings in sprawling city areas for no justifiable reason. They can, without eating up public funds so savagely, carry on their ministerial work in City by operating from the MPs quarters. Official residences in the City @ rate of one each should be given only to the Prez, the PM, the Speaker and the Opposition Leader. That's the way to go!
0 6
Ahamed Saturday, 02 November 2024 03:19 PM
Excellent decision, elected MPs are to be stationed in respective electorates to look after the public
4 2
Vadivelu Yogaratnam Saturday, 02 November 2024 03:31 PM
Wise perfect thig to do, in the past ministers were appointed without any basic qualifications specifically by Rajapaksa's regime people were made politically ignorance so they can be in power forever present president must put a fullstops for this culture, good luck to president achive this goal.
4 2
Nathan Saturday, 02 November 2024 06:35 PM
They are there to serve the people, not to pursue a life of luxury through election. They should focus on understanding and addressing people’s issues. Their accommodations should be within the community they represent.
2 2
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