Ravi-Arjuna nexus

What was Ravi Karunanayake thinking when he accepted Arjun Aloysius’ offer to pay for the lease at Monarch apartments? This was during the height of the investigation into a purported bond scam at the Central Bank. To accept a pecuniary offer of any kind from the chief miscreant under investigation is a heinous misdemeanour which is unpardonable. He did so and continued to be the guardian of the public coffers, an act of impunity of the worst kind. 

These are coldblooded robber barons who pontificated there legitimacy and spotless credentials to be fit and proper persons to be elected to Parliament. In another democracy this act of absolute arrogance and impropriety would result in the resignation or sacking of the accused Minister.

He represented the country at international fora and signed important agreements on fiscal and monetary policies and agreed to uphold and practise ethical values for and on behalf of Sri Lanka. 

How is this country to face international scrutiny and encourage foreign investment and participation when such devious acts are committed by legislators? 

What is the Government conveying to the business community, regulatory bodies and financial institutions? There is not a murmur from the top legislators. The prime legislator purports to ignore the print and social media as it is ‹fake news›. It is damning evidence and condemnation of ‹good governance›. 

Let us see what befalls the Minister and whether he will continue in his inimitable and pompous style to disregard severe accusations and impropriety of the highest order. 

This is only the tip of an iceberg which is not pristine white but black with dirt. 

There should be a national outcry and a walkout by the citizens who elected this rotten legislature. The strikes being held by the public are conducted for the wrong reasons.

We cannot expect any form of public condemnation, sentencing or punishment from any commission or committee appointed by the Government, which amounts to an ostrich burying its head in the sand hoping to remain unnoticed. To boot, he is seeking ‹breach of privilege› for being summoned by the commission. 

Dilkie