An opportunity to examine yahapalana failures- Tennakoon

Dec 9 anti-corruption event 

Tennakoon

By Shamindra Ferdinando-December 8, 2016, 9:57 pm 

CaFFE (Campaign for Free and Fair Elections) spokesperson Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday lambasted the ruling coalition for failing in its much touted anti-corruption drive

Alleging that none of those involved in mega corrupt deals during the Rajapaksa administration had been successfully prosecuted so far, Tennakoon pointed out that yahapalana rulers themselves were under fire for waste, corruption and various irregularities.

Having vigorously campaigned on an anti-corruption platform in the run-up to January 2015 presidential poll, the government had then perpetrated the massive Central Bank bond scam in late Feb 2015, Tennakoon alleged. There had been a repeat performance in March, the following year in spite of media furore over the first scam, the CaFFE executive director told The Island.

An irate Tennakoon said that the UNP-SLFP coalition had simply continued corrupt practices adopted by successive previous governments.

"We are being overwhelmed by rampant corruption," a disappointed Tennakoon said. The government’s reaction to recent Supreme Court ruling on corrupt coal tender had proved that the yahapalana administration, too, was following the SLFP-led UPFA’s policies. Asserting that the government was hell-bent on going ahead with the disputable coal tender condemned by the Supreme Court, Tennakoon alleged that the national economy was at the mercy of robber barons.

Asked whether he would attend a government sponsored Anti-Corruption Conference at the Colombo Taj on Friday (Dec 9), Tennakoon said that such projects were necessary to ensure public awareness. "In fact, relentless effort to ensure public awareness is one of the critical factors in overall campaign against corruption. The latest government initiative should be appreciated."

Tennakoon said the civil society had played a critically important role in influencing the electorate against the Rajapaksas at both presidential and parliamentary polls. "In fact, the civil society campaigned on an anti-corruption platform. The mainstream media and social media, too, played an important role. Unfortunately, yahapalana rulers are today struggling on the anti-corruption front."

Tennakoon said that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) should take tangible measures to bring in the situation under control. "We sincerely believe new Director General, CIABOC, Sarath Jayamanne, PC will make a difference."

Additional Solicitor General Jayamanne succeeded Additional Solicitor Duilrukshi Dias Wickremasinghe in October in the wake of the latter quitting in response to President Maithripala Sirisena’s condemnation of the institution for having political agendas.

Tennakoon also pointed out that the National Audit Bill hadn’t been passed in parliament, though it was among the tasks to be accomplished during the government’s 100-day project. Tennakoon said that Friday’s event shouldn’t be a mere show. "We expect the government to immediately take meaningful measures to streamline probes and judicial process."

Tennakoon reiterated often repeated allegation that an influential section of the government had reached an understanding with those who mercilessly robbed the national economy previously. There couldn’t be another explanation for the government’s dismal failure to properly investigate scores of major revelations, Tennakoon said.

Tennakoon also questioned the failure on the part of the Attorney General’s Department to deliver.

The activist said that progress wouldn’t be a reality as long as wrongdoers remained at the helm.