Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti condemned Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal’s remarks about receiving festive gifts and hampers, saying the mayor should immediately retract them and apologise to the public through the media.
Speaking on a political programme on Sirasa TV, Handunnetti said no member of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the National People’s Power (NPP) or the Government would endorse Jayalal’s remarks. He said the party would take disciplinary action against the mayor.
“Asking for festive gifts and hampers like those given under previous governments is clearly soliciting a bribe. No one in the NPP can accept such a statement. The rule of law must apply to us first. Whatever prompted him to make those remarks, he must first correct them publicly through the media and apologise to the people. As a party, we will definitely take disciplinary action against him,” Handunnetti said.
He recalled that people had endured tear gas and baton charges during the 2022 protests, and that some had lost their lives. He said the public had brought the current Government to power to tackle fraud, corruption and bribery.
Handunnetti said Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya and other academics had set aside their professorial salaries and privileges to serve the country. He said no one would be allowed to seek privileges or gifts.
He added that power could corrupt individuals and said the JVP had expelled prominent members over such conduct in the past. He said the party continued to enforce the same strict discipline.
