SLPP pledges to take action on bond report

• Says will fast-track trials, recoup losses 
• RW can resort to legal action against President’s move  

By Nuwan Senarathna 

Focusing on the Central Bank bond scam, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday pledged to fast-track legal action against responsible parties and work to recoup losses.

Despite powerful people being behind the irregularities, as outlined in the report compiled by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), their status will not hamper any efforts to kick-start legal proceedings, SLPP MP D.V. Chanaka told reporters during a press conference held at the SLPP headquarters.

Chanaka noted that an independent trial would be carried out while ensuring the independence of the judiciary. 

“We will not hesitate to punish even former ministers of even the Prime Minister if they were involved,” he said. 

Steps will also be taken to recoup the estimated Rs. 11 billion lost from the questionable bond trades that took place in 2015 and 2016, which were investigated by the presidential commission. 

He also went on to say the decision to reduce the number of body guards of former ministers, including former Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, was taken as a result of the recent shooting incident at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) office on Sunday. One person was killed and two others were injured during the shooting. Police arrested the gunmen and a day later Ranatunga but released him on bail. 

Chanaka alleged that some ministers were trying to destroy documents in an attempt to cover up their corrupt deals. 

“The reason these ministers are attempting to return to their offices is to destroy files of corrupt deals that they were involved in. We do not want this to happen,” he said.  

Speaking at the press conference, MP Dilum Amunugama said that instead of blaming the previous Government they would find permanent solutions to boost the economy. However, this would take place parallel to efforts to crack down on corruption and investigate those responsible. 

He also said that Ranil Wickremesinghe had the right to take legal action against the President’s decision if he was unhappy with it. 

“If Ranil Wickremesinghe is dissatisfied with the action taken by President Maithripala Sirisena then he can resort to legal action.”