Deputy FM says Bandula’s Geneva complaint will be joke of the year

Tuesday, 12 May 2015 00:55 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Chamodi Gunawardana

Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P. Perera yesterday said that former Minister Bandula Gunawardena was going to make the joke of the year if he lodged a complaint in Geneva against the Government.

Addressing a media briefing held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Perera said that nobody could lodge a false complaint at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva against the Government. “Gunawardena has stated several times that they are planning to lodge a complaint in Geneva against the Bribery Commission and the Police Financial Crime Investigation Division’s (FCID) recent investigations. We believe that Gunawardena should take professional advice regarding the subject before his planned trip to Geneva,” Perera said.

“Those who are being currently investigated by the Bribery Commission or FCID are willing to do these types of nonsensical acts while trying to cover up their faults. However, the Government will not stop these investigations and we are expecting to reveal true culprits,” Perera added.

Govt. to present 20A as soon as possible

Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P. Perera yesterday said that the Government planned to introduce the 20th Amendment in Parliament as soon as possible and appoint a 255-member Parliament following the general election.

“Under this new electoral system 165 MPs should be selected to Parliament through the first-past-the-post system and 59 MPs through the preferential system and another 29 MPs through the national list. However, we have to decide whether 20A should be passed in the present Parliament or whether it should be passed in the Parliament which will come to power after the next general election. Nevertheless, this new electoral system would be beneficial to both minority parties and major parties,” Perera said.