15 October, 2011By Saroj Pathirana
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| Mr Werritty (R) has taken part in the discussions between Dr Fox (L) and President Rajapaksa in London |
The main opposition in Sri Lanka has called for an investigation into the activities of Sri Lanka Development Trust (SLDT) set up by former British Defence Secretary, Liam Fox.
The United National Party (UNP) said it regretted the resignation of Dr Fox.
But it is now important that the government investigate the role of Sri Lanka officials in setting up the Trust with Dr Fox, says Dr Harsha de Silva, UNP’s secretary on economic affairs.
“There must be an immediate investigation,” he told BBC Sinhala service, Sandeshaya.
He called on the investigation to focus on, in particular, the alleged role of Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the governor of Sri Lanka Central Bank.
NGO activities
The MP recalls that Sri Lanka government, which is highly critical of activities of the NGOs, launched an investigation into the funding of Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL).
|  If it has spent £7000, how much money is in the Trust? Where is that money? Who is aware of it? |
“Mr Cabraal and others investigated TISL and made serious allegations against it,” Mr De Silva said.
Dr Fox on Monday told the House of Commons that he had worked with people in business, banking and politics in Sri Lanka since 2009 to set up the "Sri Lankan Development Trust" to help with reconstruction of the country after its civil war.
The defence secretary has been under pressure after it emerged that his friend, the lobbyist Adam Werritty, was present on 18 overseas trips including Sri Lanka.
"The aim was to use a proportion of profits made to fund development projects in Tamil communities. Neither myself, Mr Werritty nor others sought to receive any share of the profits for assisting the trust," Dr Fox said.
Central Bank governor
UNP’s international affairs secretary Ravi Karunanayake told BBC Sandeshaya that he met Mr Werritty “at least five times with Dr Fox,” in his interactions with the British politician.
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| UNP says the government should reveal Mr Cabraal's involvement with SLDT |
"I was under the impression that Mr Werritty was Dr Fox's political assistant," said Mr Karunanayake, MP.
The Financial Times quoting Lord Bell says the Trust consists of two funds, the "Sri Lanka Infrastructure Development Fund" and the "Sri Lanka Charitable Fund".
Lord Bell, Head of the Bell Pottinger Public Relations Company which represented the Sri Lankan government until last December told the Financial Times that neither fund is up and running.
“The issue is whether there is any under the surface activity in this case,” says Dr Harsha de Silva, MP.
“If it has spent £7000, how much money is in the Trust? Where is that money? Who is aware of it?”
It is imperative a government that accuses many NGOs including National Peace Council and Centre for Policy Alternatives of wrongdoings investigate its own official’s role in a yet undisclosed activities of the SLDT, he added.
“According to British media, Lord Bell of Bell Pottinger has said that it was Nivard Cabraal who discussed with Dr Fox and Adam Werritty to set up the Trust,” he said.
“But the issue here is nobody knows what this NGO is?” said Dr Silva adding that it seems that the Trust is not registered anywhere according to British media.
Mr Cabraal could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
