Bond commission, PRECIFAC reports tabled in P’ment

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

The report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate, Inquire and Report on the Issuance of Treasury Bonds during the period from 1 February 2015-31 March 2016 and the final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate on Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) were tabled yesterday in Parliament. 

With all lawmakers receiving an English copy of each report, the party leaders are scheduled to meet today at 2.30 p.m. to decide their next step.

However, unable to wait until the party leaders’ meeting, Chief Opposition Whip JVP MP Anura Dissanayake was seen on his feet commenting on the findings of the reports, which he had received from the Speaker’s Office a few days before they were tabled in Parliament. 

“The report on Treasury bonds has revealed the nature of the involvement of the respective minister, the Prime Minister and the Governor of the Central Bank along with the faults of the officers,” he charged. 

The loss incurred by different state entities and the private sector due to the bond scam is considerably high. 

“All in all due to this bond issuance, the Employees Trust Fund (ETF) has incurred a loss of over Rs. 8.5 billion. The ETF is the lifeline for all private sector employees. This is nothing but a white-collar crime, which is quite different from regular types of robberies. This report shows how top political influence and power was used to misappropriate public money. So the Attorney General’s Department and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption are responsible for taking action against those who are responsible as mentioned in the report. However, we doubt either of these establishments will take action based on their behaviour in the recent past. This is a debate that should come in the House of Parliament in the presence of those who are responsible,” he added.

According to MP Dissanayake, the other report highlighted how the previous regime under the leadership of the former President used state resources for elections, shady deals such as that brokered with Avant Garde and the issues at the Ministry of Housing. 

“This is how the political leadership has used state resources for their personal benefits. I prefer debating this well before 10 February. This report has the findings of 18 investigations,” he added.

Meanwhile, the UPFA Joint Opposition parliamentary group expressed its concern over the contents of the reports tabled yesterday in Parliament. 

“An issue has come up pertaining to the number of pages in this report. Some held that certain facts of this report were changed. The President is seeking strength and support to punish those responsible. We are ready to empower the President to take action where they should be arrested,” said MP Bandula Gunawardena.

Rejecting the Joint Opposition’s accusations, Minister of Higher Education and Highways and Leader of the House of Parliament, Lakshman Kiriella, assured that the reports were now with the Attorney General and the Commissioner General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption where the Government was unable to intervene. 

“But we shouldn’t go for a debate if you have doubts over the contents and the pages of these reports,” he charged. 

Speaker urges MPs to refrain from spreading false information over Bond Report

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya urged the Parliament yesterday to refrain from spreading false information on the Report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate, inquire and report on the Issuance of Treasury Bonds during the period from 1st of February 2015 to 31st of March 2016. 

Disclosing the proper and the secured route the report took to reach the Parliament, despite heated debates and interruptions unsuitable seen recently in the Parliament, the Speaker said: “The Secretary General of the UPFA, MP Dinesh Gunawardena, and MP Anura Dissanayake requested me to summon the Parliament, which was adjourned till 1pm on 23rd January. Based on the discussion had with the Leader of the House, and the Parliamentary Committee Meeting, followed by a request received from the Prime Minister under Section 14 of the Standing Orders, it was decided to call the Parliament early. The agreement was to allow the Prime Minister to address the House and to be followed by the Party Leaders. The Secretary to the President was also informed to provide us with necessary copies and he has agreed to do so before 17thJanuary.”

In response to the request for copies, the Parliament has received 26 copies of the Report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate, inquire and report on the Issuance of Treasury Bonds during the period from 1st of February 2015 to 31st of March 2016 and 34 copies of the Final Report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate on Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges.

“We discussed with the Government Printer to have the copies available to be tabled in the Parliament on 23rd January. Apart from the printed copies of these two reports, we will also provide a scanned copy on a compact disc for the easy reference of the members,” added the Speaker who has explained the same in response to a query received from the Executive Director of CaFFE. (AH)