RANJAN VERBALLY NAMES SEVERAL MPs
Disna Mudalige and Camelia Nathaniel-Saturday, February 23, 2019
The UNP Committee report on State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake’s allegation that 24 MPs and ministers use drugs including cocaine will be submitted to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday.
State Minister Ramanayake responding to queries by journalists said that he verbally mentioned several names of MPs to the committee in support of his allegation.He added that he sent some vital information to the CID by registered post in connection to his complaint. “I requested the CID to give a date to record my statement in that regard,” he said.
Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella said Ramanayake appeared before the three-member committee headed by Kiriella when it convened at a parliament committee room yesterday.
Speaking to the media after the committee meeting, Kiriella however refused to reveal any names of MPs mentioned by Ramanayake. “This is an internal probe of the party. Ramanayake had also given information to the CID.The CID can commence an investigation,” he said.
State Minister Ramanayake responding to queries by journalists said that he verbally mentioned several names of MPs to the committee in support of his allegation.He added that he sent some vital information to the CID by registered post in connection to his complaint. “I requested the CID to give a date to record my statement in that regard,” he said.
He also said that he intends to request National Dangerous Drugs Control Board former Chairman Dr. Nilanga Samarasinghe to give him the list of 25 names of MPs in his possession.
“I would like to compare my list of names with the list in his possession. He exposed that he has such a list of names in 2015 and he is now in Norway due to the life threats he received. I was in contact with him even during the 100-day interim government period and facilitated him an appointment to meet the Prime Minister. However, Dr.Samarasinghe did not give the list of names to either the President or the Prime Minister because of the risks he faced.I hope he will support me in this struggle. I may lose this battle, but I am determined to continue it,” Ramanayake said.
Ramanayake said Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was not happy over the allegation made by Ramanayake. “I have the list with me.I can give it to the Speaker even tomorrow, but the Speaker is displeased that my allegation would tarnish the image of Sri Lanka’s Parliament,” the State Minister said.
State Minister Eran Wickramaratne, MP Prof. Ashu Marasinghe and Attorney Nissanka Nanayakkara are the other members of the committee.
METHMALIE DISSANAYAKE & W.K. PRASAD MANJU-FEB 21 2019
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today (21) informed Parliament that he has not heard anything yet from State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake, regarding a list of names of Ministers and Parliamentarians whom Ramanayake alleges were using cocaine.
Speaker Jayasuriya, at the commencement of the Sitting, noted, "Some MPs on 20 February queried whether Ramanayake has submitted a list of names of Cabinet Ministers and MPs who he claimed are using cocaine and other illegal narcotics, to me. Since I was absent on 20 February, Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri, on my behalf, told them that I had not received such a list from Ramanayake. I inform this House that Ramanayake has not given me any such list up to now."
Ramanayake, making a controversial statement following the arrest of underworld drug kingpin Makandure Madush in Dubai, alleged that 24 MPs including four Cabinet Ministers are using cocaine and other illegal narcotics.
Yesterday (20), the UNP appointed a four-member committee, headed by Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella, to investigate Ramanayake's claims. The committee has ordered Ramanayake to appear before it at 10 a.m. tomorrow (22), to grill him regarding his allegations.
After questioning Ramanayake, the committee, which was formed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, is expected to submit a report to the Working Committee of the UNP.
The committee headed by Kiriella also comprises State Minister Eran Wickremaratna, UNP MP Professor Ashu Marasingha and Attorney-at-Law Nissanka Nanayakkara.
State Minister Ramanayake responding to queries by journalists said that he verbally mentioned several names of MPs to the committee in support of his allegation.He added that he sent some vital information to the CID by registered post in connection to his complaint. “I requested the CID to give a date to record my statement in that regard,” he said.
Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella said Ramanayake appeared before the three-member committee headed by Kiriella when it convened at a parliament committee room yesterday.
Speaking to the media after the committee meeting, Kiriella however refused to reveal any names of MPs mentioned by Ramanayake. “This is an internal probe of the party. Ramanayake had also given information to the CID.The CID can commence an investigation,” he said.
State Minister Ramanayake responding to queries by journalists said that he verbally mentioned several names of MPs to the committee in support of his allegation.He added that he sent some vital information to the CID by registered post in connection to his complaint. “I requested the CID to give a date to record my statement in that regard,” he said.
He also said that he intends to request National Dangerous Drugs Control Board former Chairman Dr. Nilanga Samarasinghe to give him the list of 25 names of MPs in his possession.
“I would like to compare my list of names with the list in his possession. He exposed that he has such a list of names in 2015 and he is now in Norway due to the life threats he received. I was in contact with him even during the 100-day interim government period and facilitated him an appointment to meet the Prime Minister. However, Dr.Samarasinghe did not give the list of names to either the President or the Prime Minister because of the risks he faced.I hope he will support me in this struggle. I may lose this battle, but I am determined to continue it,” Ramanayake said.
Ramanayake said Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was not happy over the allegation made by Ramanayake. “I have the list with me.I can give it to the Speaker even tomorrow, but the Speaker is displeased that my allegation would tarnish the image of Sri Lanka’s Parliament,” the State Minister said.
State Minister Eran Wickramaratne, MP Prof. Ashu Marasinghe and Attorney Nissanka Nanayakkara are the other members of the committee.
MPs taking drugs allegation: Speaker denies receiving names from Ranjan
METHMALIE DISSANAYAKE & W.K. PRASAD MANJU-FEB 21 2019
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today (21) informed Parliament that he has not heard anything yet from State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake, regarding a list of names of Ministers and Parliamentarians whom Ramanayake alleges were using cocaine.Speaker Jayasuriya, at the commencement of the Sitting, noted, "Some MPs on 20 February queried whether Ramanayake has submitted a list of names of Cabinet Ministers and MPs who he claimed are using cocaine and other illegal narcotics, to me. Since I was absent on 20 February, Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri, on my behalf, told them that I had not received such a list from Ramanayake. I inform this House that Ramanayake has not given me any such list up to now."
Ramanayake, making a controversial statement following the arrest of underworld drug kingpin Makandure Madush in Dubai, alleged that 24 MPs including four Cabinet Ministers are using cocaine and other illegal narcotics.
Yesterday (20), the UNP appointed a four-member committee, headed by Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella, to investigate Ramanayake's claims. The committee has ordered Ramanayake to appear before it at 10 a.m. tomorrow (22), to grill him regarding his allegations.
After questioning Ramanayake, the committee, which was formed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, is expected to submit a report to the Working Committee of the UNP.
The committee headed by Kiriella also comprises State Minister Eran Wickremaratna, UNP MP Professor Ashu Marasingha and Attorney-at-Law Nissanka Nanayakkara.
