No-confidence motion against Mahinda: Government challenged to debate

(October, 11, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Chief Coordinator of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (Mahajana) Wing Sripathi Sooriyarachchi challenged the government yesterday to debate the no-confidence motion against Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda immediately.

He also cited a statement of Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle that the government is not afraid of any no-confidence motions and will debate any that is moved against the government within 24 hours.

“All we ask is to take this for debate if possible without making boastful remarks”, the Sooriyarachchi said.

"Milinda Moragoda has been proven guilty of misusing public money through the Mercantile Merchant Bank by a Public Accounts Committee report presented on the 22nd of June 2005, by the present Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama as its chairman.

Reports handed over by COPE Chairman Wijedasa Rajapaksa too, make charges against the Tourism Minister. We moved a no-confidence motion against the person who is guilty with most number of charges. Honestly, he should resign and face this. On previous occasions, debates of no-confidence motions such as the one regarding the Galle Port were telecast live. This should be telecast live as well”, said Sooriyarachchi.

Minister Moragoda has recently requested for the speedy debate of the motion against him.

A private television channel has started a special programme to take this to the public by asking their opinions.