Govt. enjoys two third majority because of SLFP

• Says I also set an example by cutting down expenditure
• This government is also a coalition
• I began several development projects such as Gramashakthi

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Former President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday sent warning signal to the government saying it enjoys two third majority because of SLFP.   

Mr. Sirisena said this in response to remark made by Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage with whom he was engaged in verbal confrontation in Parliament yesterday.   

“I also set an example by cutting down expenditure. I began several development projects such as Gramashakthi. These are not implemented today,” he said.   

 .” Mr. Aluthgamage is calling me for a confrontation. We are ready for it, confront each other in a different way. Anyway we don’t want to fight as we are an innocent lot,” Mr. Sirisena added.  
“Mr. Aluthgamage should remember what happened to the governments of Late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike who confronted her allies. I also came out of the government in 2014 and what happened to the government which I formed later? Remember that this government is also a coalition. It was we who provided two thirds majority to this government,” he also said.   
The arguments triggered when Minister Aluthgamage responded to remarks made by State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera earlier. “Mr. Jayasekera had criticised me earlier when I was out of chambers. He mentioned that if one digs into my conduct it will stink. I would like to state here that accepting cheques from Arjun Aloysius if one digs into conducts,” he said.   

“ Mr. Jayasekera was referring to a speech I made the other day comparing the expenditure connected with the former President and the incumbent President. I only said the incumbent President had set an example by saving a total of Rs 1.7 billion. I said the former President had spent Rs 335 million for fuel while the incumbent President has spent only Rs 90 million. Former President had spent Rs 16 million for domestic travelling while the incumbent President had spent only Rs 5 million for this purpose. We have a right to come up with this comparison. If the former President wants to confront us, we are ready,” he said. 

• Mr. Aluthgamage is calling me for a confrontation. We are ready for it, confront each other in a different way