By Newswire Editorial
Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti has strongly condemned a statement made by Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal regarding the acceptance of gifts and hampers, calling for disciplinary action against him.
Speaking to News First’s Ilakkkaya program, Minister Handunnetti said the Mayor’s remarks were completely unacceptable and did not reflect the position of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the National People’s Power (NPP), or their members and supporters.
“We completely condemn the statement made by Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal. This is not a statement that should be made even in private,” he said.
The Minister stressed that the government’s commitment to upholding the law must begin with its own representatives.
“When we say we are fixing the law, it means we apply it first to ourselves. Saying that people should give hampers or gifts is wrong,” he said.
Handunnetti confirmed that disciplinary action had been proposed against the Mayor and emphasised that such conduct should be addressed through legal means.
He further said that since Jayalal had made the controversial remarks publicly, he should also publicly acknowledge his mistake and correct his statement before the media.
The Minister pointed out that the party had previously expelled several individuals over misconduct, adding that the latest incident should serve as a warning to all party members and public officials.
“My personal stance is that disciplinary action must be taken against him, and he must publicly accept that his statement was wrong,” Handunnetti said.
He reiterated that no party member or public official should make such statements, whether publicly or privately, and that the public should not consider such demands acceptable.
The controversy stems from remarks made by Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal on Sunday (08), during an event related to canal-bank stabilisation work in Arangala, Malabe.
During the event, Jayalal urged private companies to continue the practice of providing gifts and hampers to municipal and other public-sector employees during the festive season.
He said companies that traditionally distributed food, beverages and other products to employees of public institutions in December should continue the practice. (Newswire)