Is the Govt. following the 'Cabraal Way' or the 'Rajapaksa Way' ? - Ranil

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Prime Minister & MP Ranil Wickremesinghe has called on the government to make it clear if it is following the 'Cabraal Way' or the 'Rajapaksa Way'.

However, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe noted that the government only follows the path of the President's Policy Statement, adding there is only one leader in government.

Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara expressed his displeasure at the Former Prime Minister for not giving the government adequate time to respond to Wickremesinghe's questions.

MP Ranil Wickremesinghe reprimanded the government for failing to disclose to parliament the present state of foreign reserves, while the Finance Minister discusses terms with India.

He also slammed the government for preparing documents on foreign reserves and finances for the IMF for consultation, while leaving the house in the dark.

'The country's monetary control is vested with the parliament,' he told Parliament adding that it is a violation of parliamentary privileges.

He said the Finance Minister should be in parliament to respond to such questions, rather than sending the State Minister to parliament, adding this is the first time in his parliamentary career that a Finance Minister is absent when Finance matters are being discussed.

Wickremesinghe was speaking from an almost empty opposition side from Parliament as the leading opposition faction, the Samagi Jana Balavegaya was boycotting the session due to safety concerns.

Ranil Wickremesinghe warned that several segments of the Sri Lankan Fabric have already expressed their displeasure of the present state of affairs, adding that if the country falls, it will not be possible to rise again.