The Rights Of Minorities

Rajapakska  Corruption

22.Jan.2015

At the meeting of the party leaders of the government yesterday (20) , it was decided that the JVP be entrusted with the formulation of a code of conduct for MPs , as well as the task of conducting transparent inquiries into complaints received regarding bribery and corruption.

This meeting was held at the parliament premises and commenced at about 9.00 a.m. with the participation of President Maithriala Sirisena ,Prime Minister Ranil Wckremesinghe , Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne representing the SLFP,Anura Dissanayake representing the JVP, Ven. Athureliya Thera on behalf of the JHU, R.Sambandhan on behalf the TNA, and Rishad Bathiudeen on behalf of the Samastha Lanka Muslim Congress , while Rauff Hakeem , the leader of SLMC was marked absent. A number of important issues were discussed and decisions taken at this meeting including the following :

Special investigations be initiated into the assassinations of Joseph Pararajasingham M.P. on Christmas day inside a church, Raviraj M.P. near the Forces headquarters ,Narahenpita , and Lasantha Wickremetunge in broad daylight on main road , as copious evidence regarding the killings have by now emerged. This proposal was advanced by Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

The report on the on going CID investigation into the conspiracy against the state that was plotted on the 9th,to be obtained within a week , since the records of evidence are now available.

New officers be appointed to the anti bribery and corruption commission after removing its present President ,and conduct the investigations expeditiously under the Director general until the independent commission is appointed. At the same time to appoint a special unit for bribery ad corruption inquiries.

Copious information had been received regarding the massive corruption involving billions and billions of rupees in the economic development ministry under Basil Rajapakse, and about the colossal abuse of state assets during the last election - a special investigation is be launched into it.

AA detailed report to be obtained swiftly pertaining to all political detainees who are in custody without cases not filed duly against them , with a view to releasing them , and where cases have to be filed ,take action to immediately file them .

It was held that the notification issued by ex defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse regarding the account in his name at Bank of Ceylon Taprobane branch was to mislead the public , since maintaining such accounts are grossly illegal, as all state funds must be directed to the government treasury , and it is only thereafter , funds whatsoever needed for ministries must be channeled from the treasury following due procedures. Gotabaya is liable to misappropriation of funds therefore.

Under no circumstance is the defense ministry secretary entitled to open accounts in his name using state funds. Gotabaya had admitted he opened this account out of Rs. 50 billion collected after the sale of Army headquarters property to Shangrila Company, which is absolutely unlawful. The payment of 2.5 % of this fund to his wife’s brother is allegedly a commission for Gotabaya indirectly . It was decided to launch an investigation into this. Investigate the sum of US dollars 7 million (Rs. 910 million in local rupees approximately !) received into a local account of Sajin Vaas Gunawardena .

The National executive council met this evening and the above decisions were arrived at unanimously . General Fonseka too participated in these discussions.