Tabs for students: Country to incur a minimum loss of Rs.1 billion

Colombo (News1st): A group of UPFA MPs convened a media briefing in Colombo today (Feb 14). Speaking at the briefing MP Thilanga Sumathipala noted that a cabinet paper to give tabs to A/L students and teachers has resurfaced in the cabinet again and the proposal was submitted to the cabinet after the consideration of the tender procedure that was made 1 year and 3 months ago. He noted that it is very evident that unless a new tender procedure is initiated, the country will incur losses of millions. MP Sumathipala pointed out that every 6 months new technology comes in and the older models depreciate, if the government is to opt for a 1 year and 2 months old tender notice, it is going to incur a loss of Rs 700 to 800 million. Hence he noted that if tender proposals are not called for again, Rs.5 billion will be spent at once to provide a tab worth Rs. 200,000 to the students. The Parliamentarian noted that the country will incur a minimum loss of Rs. 1 billion by this tender scam. UPFA MP S.B. Dissanayake who was also present at the media briefing spoke about the judicial issue. He noted that when the judge of the Constitutional Council is promoted, they are being hunted oblivious to their seniority for political agendas. If the Supreme Court judges want to get promoted they need to meet the Speaker and the Prime Minister. He pointed out that these are the stories that circulate among the lawyers. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is the person responsible for the establishment of an independent judiciary and is the one who used the Constitutional Council for his own political gain. MP Dissanayake noted that the speaker is the one behind this puppet show. He noted that there is talk that the provincial council elections will be held before May. If it is not held they will topple the government, take control of the government, hold provincial council elections and go for the presidential elections. He noted that they are ready to do all of it.

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