PM ready to give statement to Bribery Commission

Thursday, 3 November 2016 00:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe yesterday claimed that he will not hesitate to give a statement to the Bribery Commission should he be asked to do so, following complaints made against him by Joint Opposition Parliamentarians in relation to the controversial bond issue.

Highlighting that the coalition Government is committed to preserving good governance in the country, the Premier assured that investigations into all alleged incidences of corruption will continue and that the culprits will be brought before the law.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at the ceremony held to appoint Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka as the UNP organiser for the Kelaniya electorate.

The COPE report, presented to Parliament last week, has been sent to Attorney General (AG) to be studied, Wickremesighe said.

“I have sent the report to him because I promised to do so in Parliament. If not we would have only touched it after 10 November, when the report is to be released. I have also informed the AG to contact the Speaker of the Parliament if he requires any additional documents,” he said.

However, Wickremesighe highlighted the scope of the COPE is limited and does not have capacity to take legal action or recommend imposing fines on any individual.

“Whatever the issue is, it has to be addressed through the legal system. If the report recommends an inquiry against the officials or the Central Bank Governor then it has to be done. Such investigations should reveal if any law has been violated and if so, what the specific violations are.”

The Prime Minister said that he has called a meeting of the Monetary Board next week to discuss the bond issue in question, along with other irregularities that occurred in the Central Bank during the past regime, including the much debated Greek bond issue.