Minister Walgama Speaks
Transport Minister Kumara Welgama yesterday disclosed that when the present prime minister goes into retirement, senior SLFPer and the current Speaker of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa would be the next prime minister. The SLFP’s senior members had no objection to this appointment whatsoever, he said.
Minister Welgama, speaking on the ‘Divineguma’ programme, at the Matugama Divisional Secretariat, said that the present PM was a man of integrity. He had been an SLFP stalwart for about 50 years and had been performing his duties meticulously but he was now rather
indisposed, he said
The Transport Minister pointed out that he was not currying favour with anyone. In case a vacancy for the premier occurred, there were senior SLFP members to fill it, but he and many senior SLFP members were of the view that Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa would be the most suitable candidate to fill the vacancy.
He said Speaker Rajapaksa was a broadminded politician and his dauntless efforts to win the impeachment motion were commendable.
Minister Welgama said he was of the opinion that the government should make a wise decision by appointing Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa as the premier. "I am the person who said that Mahinda Rajapaksa was the most suitable candidate for the presidency, but some told me to be extra-careful when uttering such words. I am not afraid of telling the truth. What I said has come true," Minister Welgama stressed.
He added that President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the ‘Divineguma’ to eradicate rural poverty and to uplift the lives of the people. As President Rajapaksa hailed from a village, he was more aware of the problems encountered by rural people, he said.
-Resh3neg Lanka News
