UNP calls for probe on Rajapaksa regime deals to be intensified

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

UNP backbenchers yesterday called for an investigation on all the transactions that took place during the second term of the Rajapaksa regime. 

During a media conference held at the Parliament complex yesterday, they identified the controversial telephone records relating to Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. (PTL) Director Arjun Aloysius and a few members of COPE as just the tip of the iceberg.

According to UNP lawmaker Thushara Indunil Amarasena, not only the lawmakers, but the telephone conversations that could have taken place between the officers of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the PTL should also come out for a fair judgement to be reached.

“A bank account opened at Bank of Ceylon in favour of CWG Hambantota 2018 Ltd. has received a total of Rs. 200 million from state establishments and another Rs. 700 million from private institutions. Perpetual Asset Management has credited Rs. 15 million. So to donate Rs. 15 million what could have been the relationship the former Government had with Perpetual Asset Management? Not only the transactions of the CBSL but the Siriliya operation, Greek Bonds, hedging, the gem bag of Daisy, SriLankan Airlines, killing of Thajudeen should also be given prominence and investigated,” he held, mentioning a request made to obtain telephone records that show 41 names of some lawmakers alleged to have communicated with Aloysius.

Praising the Government for taking a fair stand on the ongoing investigations, MP Amarasena stated that the UNP had established a new culture with two ministers tendering the resignation, making way for the investigations to continue and the Prime Minister’s voluntary appearance before the Commission. 

“COPE Chairman Sunil Handunnetti now cries foul highlighting the telephone records and says the COPE members are not fit to hold office. But it is the same members who elected him to be the Chairman. It was Minster Rauff Hakeem who proposed and Minister Ajith Perera seconded his appointment. If we had any attempts to cover any corruption in the UNP, we shouldn’t have appointed a member of the Opposition to be the COPE Chairman,” he said.

Addressing the delay of the local Government elections, the UNP MP J.C. Alawathuwala said that it is not the UNP which delays the election but some other parties with different interests. “The UNP wants the election fast. Looking at those who went to courts reveals the people behind the delay. We urge the Minister to hold the elections soon,” he said.