JVP to join hands with Mahinda once again

BY GAGANI WEERAKOON- MAR 03 2019

 “I remember that day (27 February 2015) very well. At about 12:30 p.m., I began to receive several calls from People’s Bank, Bank of Ceylon (BoC), National Saving Bank (NSB) and the CBSL itself. Different people from these institutions told me that something was going on inside the CBSL and they asked me to look for it. Probably they wanted to bring it to my notice as I was the COPE Chairman at that time,” D.E.W Gunasekara said joining a talk show on the matter on News First.

After receiving those phone calls, Gunasekara tried to find out what had happened inside the CBSL and what kind of transaction took place there, using the contacts he had in various places. There was a rumour about this scam, but he was not sure what exactly happened as many stories about it were coming out at that instance. However, after getting more information the then COPE Chairman decided to wait for a statement from the Monetary Board of
Sri Lanka.

“I personally waited until the Monetary Board confirmed or discarded the information. With such a statement, it might not be impossible to take action regarding it or bring the matter to the attention of Parliament. That was why we waited until 2 March 2015. On 2 March the Monetary Board confirmed it. The following day, the issue was raised in Parliament after discussing about it with several parties including the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). I was in the Opposition at that time.”

“Immediately after that, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stood up and said he was also aware of the matter. He said, “I have already appointed a committee of three Attorneys-at-Law.” He was so fast and the matter ended there. We waited for three months and again questioned the Government.
 The PM then tabled the report of the said committee. That report had cleared Mahendran of any wrongdoing and said that that sort of scam had not taken place. However, they had stated that as they were all lawyers they did not have the authority to commence a proper or comprehensive investigation into the matter. They had recommended a proper investigation be commenced.
 This caused mayhem in the House and then Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa asked the House to hand over the matter to COPE and COPE agreed to take it over.
COPE commenced investigations on the following day itself,” Gunasekara elaborated.

Although the Premier was so quick to respond to the questions raised in Parliament regarding the scam for the first time in Parliament, he was very slow on obtaining instructions from the Attorney General after the COPE reports were released, instructions especially on as to how Mahendran could be prosecuted, Gunasekara alleged.

Meanwhile, showing his displeasure, regarding the conduct of the United National Front (UNF) Government, once again, President Sirisena on Wednesday (27) stressed that there would be no opportunity to punish the culprits of the Central Bank Treasury Bonds scam as long as the current Government is in power.

The President made this remark while addressing the 61st Annual General Meeting of Government Auditors at the National Audit Office.

Speaking further, he said, “I appointed a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to reveal those who were responsible for the Bond scam. One of the main recommendations of the Commission is that there should be a forensic audit into the incident. But, even after all these months, it has not been started. Not only that, to punish the culprits, one Section of the Bribery Act should be amended.
Doing that is also being postponed day-by-day as well. If we try to punish these culprits under the current law, the process would take at least 15 - 20 years. Not only the Bond Commission, I also appointed a PCoI to investigate alleged corruption which took place before 2015. The report of that Commission has already been released and it is entirely up to the relevant authorities to follow the recommendations of the Commission and take further action.”

He said that another PCoI has been appointed to probe into the alleged corruption after 2015. That commission has received more than 1,000 complaints as of now, he added.

Responding to the President, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna said there is no excuse for the President to delay punishing the culprits identified by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC).

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said:

“The President has now said that he cannot punish the culprits of the Central Bank Treasury Bonds scam because they’re part of the current Government. But, PRECIFAC found frauds committed by 33 people. These are the likes of Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa. But none of these people are part of the Government. So, what’s stopping the President from bringing these culprits to justice?”

He further alleged that the President’s Private Secretary was also one of the culprits identified by PRECIFAC.

“So right now, the President has employed people who were accused by his own Presidential Commission. This is a desperate attempt from a President vying for a chance to become the presidential candidate again.”

A historic first

In a historic first, five Parliamentarians, from various political parties, came together last week to publish their declarations of assets and liabilities in the public domain.

MPs Tharaka Balasuriya, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, Vidura Wickrmanayake and Eran Wickramaratne declared their assets and liabilities.

Speaking at an event organised by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), its Executive Director, Asoka Obeyesekare commended the bold step taken by the five MPs in submitting their asset and liability declarations to the people.

“Whilst this marks a significant milestone in the campaign to bring politicians’ assets and liability declarations into the public domain, we also hope that this step will encourage other public representatives to recognise the unquestionable public interest that is served by disclosing the information. This will help open the Parliament to the people and promote a culture of transparency and accountability, further bridging the gap between people and representatives. It has been the TISL`s longstanding position that putting information in the hands of the people is the key to enhancing governance in Sri Lanka,” he added.

The MPs who declared their assets and liabilities invited fellow MPs to follow their example and create a new political culture by declaring assets and liabilities in the public domain. Following their example, Ranjan Ramanayake who is now in controversy over his declaration that his colleagues in the Government and in Parliament are using or addicted to illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin, declared his assets and liabilities on Friday, becoming the sixth Parliamentarian to do so.

Indian envoy visits MR

In the immediate aftermath of India and Pakistan resuming hostilities following Pulwama attack last week, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Taranjith Singh Sandhu called on President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Even though the other two meetings were not publicised, the meeting between the Indian envoy and Rajapaksa at the latter’s official residence Friday evening was in the limelight.

Talks at the meeting had revolved around the current crisis that has erupted between India and Pakistan. While pointing out that India was only acting against terrorist groups, High Commissioner Sandhu had stated that India does not have any political or economic rivalry with Pakistan.

Taking to his Twitter handle, Rajapksa had said, “The Indo-Pakistan crisis can be resolved through peaceful dialogue between the respective leadership & by the region uniting to defeat terrorism.”

The discussion which lasted for over an hour had also revolved around the present political situation of Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan Government requested India and Pakistan to act in a manner that ensures the security, peace and stability of the entire region.

Sri Lanka is deeply concerned about the recent developments, following the brutal terrorist attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Pulwama, India, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in an official statement.

“As a country that has suffered from the scourge of terrorism for nearly three decades, Sri Lanka has unequivocally condemned this terrorist attack in Pulwama and stands firmly by the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Sri Lanka strongly supports peace and stability in the South Asia region and all endeavours towards the diffusion of tensions, including the resolution of bilateral problems through dialogue and building confidence,” the statement further said.

MR’s secret to Maithri

Opposition Leader Rajapaksa, last week, visited the families of two businessmen in Rathgama who were allegedly murdered by police personnel attached to the Southern Province Special Investigation Unit.

When Rajapaksa was about to leave the house, a son of the victim was seen whispering something to him. When Rajapaksa came out of the house journalists who were present asked him as to what the child said.

“He said that to me in full faith that I would keep it as a secret. Even though he is just a child I am not ready to breach his faith,” Rajapaksa responded.

However, as soon as he got into his car, Rajapaksa telephoned President Sirisena and told the latter what the child told him in secret to which the President responded “I will definitely inquire and investigate about what was said.”

JVP in discussion

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa was engaged in lengthy discussions with JVP Leader Anura Kumara in Parliament last week and the subject of discussion was not revealed. However, this week, JVP announced that they will continue to engage in discussions with Rajapaksa on the abolition of the Executive Presidency as they are well aware that the 20th Amendment will not see the light of day without having Rajapaksa camp’s support.

Rajapaksa, over the past two weeks, has been making comments at party meetings in favour of abolition of the Executive Presidency completely or partially. However, his ideas were not completely welcomed by party leaders like Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila while, many others in the Joint Opposition and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) showing a clear division on the matter.

Accordingly, a JVP delegation led by Anura Kumara will meet Rajapaksa on 6 March and the meeting is likely to take place at the Parliament complex.

Khema’s boy turns 30

Amidst all political dramas, the ceremony held at the BMICH to celebrate Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s 30 years of parliamentary political life saw a great display of camaraderie between political rivals.

The most notable was the cordialities shared between former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and her successor Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Many who were present expressed the view that it was after so many years that they witnessed this camaraderie between the two leaders with Kumaratunga not wasting a single minute chance to attack Rajapaksas.

While congratulating Finance Minister Samaraweera on completing three decades in the political battlefield during the most difficult period, former President Kumaratunga said he belongs to a rare breed of politicians fast becoming extinct in Sri Lanka.

“A man with a vision for this country and not for his personal gain, a man with a skill to translate that vision into action with a steadfast commitment to honesty, courage and principles to stand up for what is right, said Kumaratunga, adding that people should appreciate the goodness in our political leaders as we seek out the bad if we are to make this country a progressive and prosperous nation,” she said.

Mangala and I have shared the same vision and fought many battles for it. We have disagreed and argued many a time, but through it all shared a million moments of fun and laughter laced with sincere affection. Sincerity and honesty have proved to be the bedrock of our friendship. Thank you Mangala for being my friend in good times and bad, she noted.

She also reminisced that as the youngest Minister in her Cabinet of Ministers, Mangala was called upon to bear the responsibility of transforming the telecommunication sector of the country. In fact, Mangala was instrumental in transforming the telecommunication sector from a bankrupt and inefficient State-owned enterprise to a dynamic high performing and profitable public private venture for the first time in this country.

“For the first time in this country, the Telecommunications Department delivered 100,000 fixed telephone lines and in five years we were able to increase the fixed line phone by six fold and mobile phones by over 20 times,” she said.

In his welcome address Minister Samaraweera said that when he entered Parliament 30 years ago in February 1989, his head was full of dreams. “I had dreams for my country, dreams for my people and dreams for myself. At the time, a war was raging in the North and an equally tragic youth insurrection was raging in the South. Therefore, I dreamt mostly of peace. Thousands of lives were lost in the country and I thought I could make a difference at the time.
 I have always been a dreamer from my early age. One of my earliest dreams was to become a racing driver, but I have never driven in my life and even today I don’t have a driving licence. Later, I dreamt of becoming a designer and taking London and Paris by storm, but I decided to pursue my career in politics at home.”

Paying special tribute to his patents, Samaraweera said his father was a dreamer but his mother was a realist and very practical and grounded woman. “I am a dreamer like my father but my mother was a grounded and compassionate person. If the people of Matara respected my father, they loved my mother.
Some of my better qualities I have inherited from her,” he said, adding that he has been referred to as Khema’s boy and he considers it an honour, considering the woman his mother was.

President Sirisena participating in the event said Mangala and himself had gone to Parliament for the first time as opposition members. “Mangala is a man with a good heart and has worked tirelessly for democracy and freedom. He was committed to his work and is a decent human being capable of winning over anyone with his honest and sincere mannerisms. He is very clever and capable and knowledgeable and the country needs people of his calibre,” he said.

The President said that it is important to first enter Parliament as an opposition member because then you learn a lot. “Then by the time that person becomes a Minister, he/she would have become seasoned politician having gained experience. Having an illustrious political past, Mangala has a long way to go in his political career,” President Sirisena said. He wished the Finance Minister a glorious and productive future in his political career.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said Mangala Samaraweera had commenced his political career on the other side of politics. “Mangala is a person who led the criticism campaign against me. But he worked according to certain principles which promoted democracy, peace and rights for all. Although he was on the Opposition side, we both worked towards the freedom of the country. Later having joined the correct side, the UNP, he served as the Foreign Minister in 2015 and is now the Finance Minister.”