Government cannot be dictated by ministers - Rajitha

Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne says that in the past the GMOA gave leadership to the struggle while the political parties followed, but now others are leading and the professional trade unions are marching behind them.

“We never went behind JVP or we never went behind Peratugami (Frontline Socialist Party) or any other party. We got all the people to march behind us.” 

“We gave the leadership. All the political parties came and supported us but we were leading the struggle. And the GMOA was the main leader of the struggle,” he said addressing the 2nd Annual General Meeting of the Grade Medical Officers Union (GMOU) in Colombo today (19).

All others including political leaders were marching behind them, he said. “That was at that time. Now here I think others are leading and the professional trade unions are marching behind them.” 

“They come, they discuss one thing with the president, they go back and make another statement and say ‘this is what we have argued, this is what the minister of health has changed’ ,” he charged. 

He stated that this is a government and everyone must understand how a government behaves. “Government cannot be dictated by ministers.”

He stated that no leader, no President or Prime Minister will agree to be dictated by a minister. “Even if I become the leader I will never tolerate that.” 

Senaratne said that a government cannot move forward if ministers dictate. “We discuss and take the decision together in the cabinet or in the parliament group meeting. That is the system.” 

“There will be lot of arguments, not like the Rajapaksa days, now there is a lot of dialog in the cabinet.  Everybody express without fear.” 

“Today everyone is raising their voices,” he added.