Colombo, Dec 20 (NIA) – Sri Lanka’s former President, Mahinda Rajapakse, on Tuesday, mocked the government over its plans to appoint a ‘super minister’ stating that if all the ministers did their respective jobs well, then the country would not need any ‘super minister’.
Speaking to local journalists, Rajapakse said that during his regime he did not appoint any ministers of this sort as he himself was a ‘super president’.
“We do not need any ‘super minister’. If a minister works well, then he automatically becomes a super minister. During my government I never had any ministers of this sort. Because there was a super President. So I did not need any super ministers,” Rajapakse said in humor when questioned by journalists over the government’s plans to appoint a minister with far reaching powers.
Local media reports last week said that the government is geared to establish two super-powered ministries who are vested with immunity so far only enjoyed by the President.
This is included in the draft Bill which was gazetted on Nov 25 under the title ‘Development (Special Provisions) Bill’.
The 38-page gazette states in its foreword that it has been published under the orders of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Rajapakse, in the meantime, warned that Sri Lanka was headed for disaster and expressed his disappointment over the issue.
“The country is headed towards a disaster. We do not see it heading towards any improvement,” he said.
He further blamed the government over the high cost of living stating that even in the festive season people were not provided with any relief.
“During my government, when we were in the festive season we gave all essential items at a low cost. Now there are Christmas trees available, but no one is there to celebrate due to the high cost of living,” he said.
He further blamed the government of maintaining double standards over its deals with China.
He said that the government was yet to be clear on what it proposed to do with the Chinese projects.
He further said that media freedom did not exist in the country as no journalist could now report the truth. He blamed the government for silencing journalists.
