Fortunately for the country, the first step of a political conspiracy was defeated - Mangala

Minister of Finance and Media Mangala Samaraweera says that he is grateful to fellow Member of Parliament, Mahinda Rajapaksa from the Kurunegala District, along with the Joint Opposition, for initiating the motion which would reaffirm the confidence on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The minister made this remark while participating in the no-confidence motion debate today (04).

 Speaking further, the Minister said the main political challenge for the opposition is Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. “The obstacle to impeach the President is the Prime Minister,” he said adding that this no-confidence motion is the first step of a political conspiracy.

Built a country which was ridden by debt

The Minister also said that the government took over a country ridden with debt and it was the PM that led the country in its economic victories in the last three years. He went on to say that this proves the PM is a good politician and that the no-confidence motion is a first step of a political conspiracy that was defeated fortunately for the country.

The Prime Minister is not a political hypocrite

He also recalled the commitment made by the Prime Minister in 2014 and said that there was no hypocrisy on his part when it was suggested that Maithripala Sirisena be given the candidacy.

Speaking further, the Minister said:

The Prime Minister worked day and night to ensure the President wins. But this is an attempt to take the country back to darkness. The Prime Minister wants to stop corruption. We will not sweep the bond scam under the rug. We will make new laws to recover the money lost. No one is speaking about the trillions the country lost before that. Therefore the NCM is a failed attempt to mislead the people.

PM is behind all the country’s victories

We took over a country saddled with debt. The PM led the economic victories in the country during the past three years. Investments have increased. Unemployment has fallen. State finance showed a primary budget surplus for the first time last year.

"The trade agreements signed with India with China have contributed to market growth. There is a very productive economic process. The Prime Minister is personally committed to the process of Constitutional Reforms. The President is committed to accelerating the process", he said adding that even though there are obstacles, the government will continue this process into the future.