Government insists no rift with coalition partners

The Government today insisted that there was no rift with its coalition partners despite some differences of opinion.

Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera said that anyone in the Government has a right to be critical of any issue and that is part of democracy.

However he insisted that when the Cabinet decides on something then the entire Government stands by that decision.

“It is a democratic right for anyone in the Government to express their views on any matter. In a National Government we do not expect everyone to keep their mouths shut,” he said.

Perera said that he, like some others in the Government, have been critical about the Government at times and he feels there is nothing wrong in that.

He says he has raised his concerns over the delay in taking action in some corruption related cases and the inaction of the police in relation to some incidents.

The?Deputy Minister said that President Maithripala Sirisena will protect his party, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will protect his party and both leaders will protect the country.

Perera said that the Government will continue for five years and those unhappy with the Government?will see the difference by 2020.

He also said that as a United National Party (UNP) member he feels President Maithripala Sirisena, despite being a Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) member, has kept his promises to the UNP.?(Colombo Gazette)