Samurdi benefits for UNP families Kiriella assails JO’s protest

By Sandun A. Jayasekera 

Leader of the House and Public Enterprise Minister Lakshman Kiriella yesterday questioned the rationale behind the protest by the joint opposition against the decision taken by the government to grant Samurdi benefits to poor UNP families when SLFP and UPFA supporters enjoyed the benefit for some 20 years. 

“Since 1994, Samurdi benefits have been fully denied to UNP supporting families by successive People’s Alliance and UPFA governments notwithstanding abject poverty. This is the truth. Having enjoyed it for 20 years, why do you object it now when we are trying to grant that relief to UNPers? We are the ones who appointed President Maithripala Sirisena,” he said. 

Commenting on functions of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to probe allegations levelled against Trade and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen in the JO-sponsored no-confidence motion, he said the media must be invited to cover the select committee proceedings. 

“People will be able to know the truth if the media is allowed to cover select committee proceedings. A new clause has been incorporated to the motion before the select committee thus enabling it to conduct inquiries on allegations levelled against MPs or Governors,” he said. 

The select committee has 12 vacancies and the SLFP has not sent their nominations but the UNP has forwarded the names of its members to the Secretary-General of Parliament. 
Responding to a question, the minister said a set of relief and tax concessions had been introduced by the government to help exports and the tourist industry in particular. 

Commenting on the alleged infertilisation of hundreds of Sinhala mothers by a VOG attached to the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, he said Parliament must call for a report on the matter.