A joy ride to UN for MPs

21 September 2023 12:29 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 55

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A delegation of several Members of Parliament (MPs) without ministerial roles has been included in the presidential entourage headed to New York for the UN sessions. It has triggered critical posts on social media with some people viewing it as a drain on the state coffers.

Notable among the MPs in the entourage are Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Rohitha Abeygunawardane, and Premanath C. Dolawatte from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), S. M. M. Muszhaaraff, as well as Vadivel Suresh from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Vadivel, despite being an opposition MP, made remarks in support of the government in recent times.

In Sri Lankan political culture, it has been customary, if not expected, to include such members in government delegations to foreign countries. This practice has not necessarily been dictated by official requirements but rather by the perceived need to placate these MPs. Consequently, their inclusion often raises questions about the prudent use of public funds, as it may appear as a form of privilege or an unnecessary expense.

The current scenario is marked by dissatisfaction among some senior SLPP MPs who find themselves without Cabinet positions.

Comments - 55

Chicoo Thursday, 21 September 2023 12:56 PM

Yea of course! We pay tax and you enjoy the pre privileges. Way to go !

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Proud Boy Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:04 PM

What do you expect ? To keep an unelected leader in office you need to keep the politicians happy not the public.

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Sam Silva Thursday, 21 September 2023 05:22 PM

Very true

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Ama Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:06 PM

This clearly indicates that SLPP as well as UNP should be Wipped out from parliament.

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Sam Silva Thursday, 21 September 2023 05:29 PM

Please explain how you are going to wipe out. Even if you do it will be again with the crooks who will govern our country. There is no way out even for next 100 years. Sad situation.

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Bryan Ekenaike Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:16 PM

Its pretty obvious that whatever the color of the flag the sycophants have the day. Therefore who ever one votes for, expect the same results. May God bless Sri Lanka because no one else will.

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warren Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:27 PM

So far, the god hasn't blessed Sri Lanka, right? He is already late, Bryan.

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Wiseman Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:02 PM

I think color RED would bring much needed change and discipline to Sri Lanka

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Wiraj Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:22 PM

You may keep these 2 cents worth MP's happy Ranil. Remember people are very unhappy. So you will not get elected again as president, for sure.

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Kaala Beela Jolly Karapalla Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:23 PM

What's the matter, minor matter. Are we worried? No, No!! Sri Lanka must break out of this mentality and take life a bit more seriously particularly when it comes to electing members of privilege-ment.

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N V Jen Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:29 PM

Walk the Talk Ranil. Don't preach austerity to masses and practice vanity towards your stooges.

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The wasteful president Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:31 PM

Eat heaps drink heaps boys, because it will be a lean period for you imbeciles when JVP comes to power.

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Tinpot president and his poof boys Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:41 PM

These guys wouldn't be able to spell United Nations. Extra security should be employed by UN to follow these morons around. Try not to vomit in flight.

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Ranils scum bags Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:45 PM

Why not string along namal as well? Only namal is needed to complete the Ranils brains trust.

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Natalie Nanayaka Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:46 PM

We need the JVP to put an end to these wasteful practices.

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Sam Silva Thursday, 21 September 2023 05:23 PM

You needing is one thing and getting is another.

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Karalasingam Sivalingam Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:47 PM

It is not acceptable to send anyone who doesn't contribute anything towards the human rights and other related subjects. Ranil was considered a gentleman, but such entourage to UN tanishes his image, please let the public know the amount of money spent on this entourage to UN.

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Ravi Hulugalle Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:48 PM

Go ahead use taxpayer money on alcohol and brothels, because you guys are so hard working you need a break.

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joshua Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:50 PM

Disgusting. These fellows need a special hell to house them. Nice to see mahindananda who was at the forefront of bringing anarchy to the farmers sitting amongst them. May be he can get some organic fertiliser and come.

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The wasteful president Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:52 PM

Do these morons know what the letters UN stand for?

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Raven Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:52 PM

As usual typical Sri lankans jealous to the brim commenting on a parliament tradition. That's all they're good for, No wonder the country is in this state.

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SLC donation of Rs. 5 Mn to Percy has follow on effects Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:57 PM

SLC used public owned SLC funds to give Rs. 5 Mn to Percy. After that appalling action with no protest yet in parliament, no wonder the fools in MPs think they can do corrupt conduct. SLC is the biggest corrupter of our society.

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N.M. Perera Thursday, 21 September 2023 01:59 PM

Majority of 225 have no love for the People or Country. Only themselves and their Families with the Tac Payers Money !!

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roni Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:00 PM

A couple of weeks ago this 73-year-old president talked about high spending ministries. He must be held accountable and provide the people an explanation for using taxpayers' money to take these guys on tour for no reason. This is the beauty of Sri Lankan politics and why so many want to join the ship.

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Gobbayo goda Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:03 PM

I hope they get trained to eat with fork and knife before they leave.

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Sarcy Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:07 PM

Did the President take those MPs as specimens (samples) of the type of leaders our intelligent voters send to the legislator, so that we will win sympathy as a bunch of ignorant fools, and a few coins will gets tossed at us?

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Grace Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:07 PM

MPs advise people to eat only two meals a day due to economic situation in the country but enjoy foreign tours with the poor people's tax money. Insensitive persons for people's sufferings.

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Anthony Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:10 PM

LET IT BE ANY PARTY OR PRESIDENT WHO COMES TO POWER THE SAME FINALE IS DONE BY EVERYONE EVEN TOMORROW JVP FORMED NPP OR SJB COMES TO POWER IT WILL BE THE SAME STORY. THIS COUNTRY AND PARLIMENTARIANS WILL NEVER CHANGE THESE ARE THIER PERKS AS A MINISTER.

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Good Hitler Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:13 PM

Let's enjoy. Wine and dine. First enjoyment and then only voters.

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Ratnasiri Hadiranpela Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:19 PM

Very unsatisfied state of affairs allowing drain off government coffers for nothing from the view point of general public

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Lokka Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:19 PM

This is shameful to say the least. When people are suffering so much without food or medicine, these corrupt politicians get joy rides at the expense of the tax payers money.

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Sakya Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:39 PM

Pacifiers for the cry babies if not they will pester endlessly for ministerial posts even threatening to leave the government to teach a lesson or two to that shaky leadership they brought in. අපි අපි වෙනුවෙන්. රට ප්‍රපාතයෙට

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Nadi Karunaratne Thursday, 21 September 2023 02:44 PM

Need an election so the plundering detritus that litters the legislature can be swept away. Then arrest them before they can flee country and catch up with their overseas bank accounts.

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Blessing Thursday, 21 September 2023 03:08 PM

This Government will leave only after draining the entire treasury. Heartless brutes.

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Tax Payer Thursday, 21 September 2023 03:27 PM

A bribe to some gisgruntled MPs happy. Why are Johnston and SM Chandrasena left out? The SJB MPs selected must courteously decline to join but they belong to the few jumping minority who may support Ranil if he needs them.All wasting the little funds available.

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Ranjan Silva Thursday, 21 September 2023 04:16 PM

What is the purpose of the President's visit? Perhaps enjoy and Thamasha then utter something at the podium (if allowed) that is embarrassingly rubbish. He now needs a troupe of monkey dancers to cheer him up while these clowns eat, drink and merry their way at the expense of a Bankrupt Nation.

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DD Thursday, 21 September 2023 04:25 PM

John F. Kennedy's famous words: 'Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country"

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Roy Thursday, 21 September 2023 04:56 PM

The whole country is corrupt, you scratch my back game continues...the only people who are suffer are some of the educated lot. Lee kwan yu style of rule to happen it will take many many years. Hope the country comes out of the rot soon

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K. Ranaweera Thursday, 21 September 2023 05:09 PM

Giving bribes to get their support for the next Presidential election.

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Bernard Jayatilake Thursday, 21 September 2023 05:31 PM

Beware of prostitutes also but don't worry it is our money!

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ChildOfGod Thursday, 21 September 2023 05:40 PM

ChildOfGod GOD IS IN CONTROL and MOVES in HIS TIME, the Rajapaske's came into power because the majority of Sri Lankan's voted them into POWER. It appears RANIL'S POWERS are restricted, as he has done NOTHNG to bring ALL those responsible for bringing down the Country. A INDEPENDENT BODY should have been elected to investigate in detail how the country was brought to its knees. If we can arrest and jail protestors who only came on the streets to voice their concerns. SRI LANKA will NEVER be the same until JUSTICE is served to its people. GOD will make HIS move in HIS TIME, until then I PRAY the MASSES will VOTE with their GOD given BRAINS at the coming Election. ALL those of FAITH in OUR LIVING GOD keep praying for the Country and its people.

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Sksisen Thursday, 21 September 2023 05:49 PM

It's time for all expenses paid world tour for the lucky people. Enjoy the trip folks. Stay safe!

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ANNECUNT Thursday, 21 September 2023 06:03 PM

i cannot stand this waste of money i am leaving the country for better job not comming back not sending money to sri-lanka

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UMAS ALI Thursday, 21 September 2023 06:07 PM

Christmas shopping with the looted money from the government of sri-lanka. life cannot get better than this and there is fresh milk in the parliment canteen

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DJ Thursday, 21 September 2023 06:11 PM

Nothing new, this will continue.

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Tissa Fernando Thursday, 21 September 2023 06:11 PM

Shopping trip using black dollars.

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Nimal Thursday, 21 September 2023 06:38 PM

With this type of wasteful spending one can very well understand what the outcome of the next elections would be. Let these guys, including the wretched pin president enjoy these perks in the little time that is left for them before they are chased out for good.

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Charles Jansz. Thursday, 21 September 2023 06:59 PM

Bad apples at the "Big Apple" a strategy for survival when entry is from the "back door!"

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Ssz khan Thursday, 21 September 2023 08:08 PM

Let them at least some good manners from the people of the USA

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Hypocrites Thursday, 21 September 2023 08:15 PM

What happened to the parliamentary white dress ? Should have gone with amude to show the world our national dress for MPs.

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Off my rocker Thursday, 21 September 2023 09:05 PM

Omg I’m so harebrained to think that RW’s leadership will steer SL to a developed nation in 2048 with foreign maids.

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Navi Thursday, 21 September 2023 09:43 PM

RW, make sure none of them would go missing. If it happens, SL will be barred from attending the UN.

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Nagasena Pahalagama Friday, 22 September 2023 03:14 AM

Enjoy in the US while poor people are dying without medicine! Water is boiling!

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Sambo Friday, 22 September 2023 08:24 AM

This extra baggage is paid from public taxes to satisfy politicians.

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Percy Wijenayake Friday, 22 September 2023 07:07 PM

It is time the IMF point a finger at these wasteful expenditure for joy rides.

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