SJB moots Parliamentary Select Committee to identify those responsible for economic crisis

• SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna says culprits must be brought before the law
• Says Gotabaya Rajapaksa has no ethical right to enjoy privileges of an ex-President
• MP Marikkar warns of imminent second uprising of the people 

SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna

SJB MP S.M. Marikkar

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harshana Rajakaruna yesterday said his party will request Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to set up a Parliamentary Select Committee to probe and identify those responsible for the current economic crisis. 

“We must find out who destroyed this country’s economy within the span of two years. Is it former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa? Or Mahinda Rajapaksa who functioned as both Prime Minister and Minister of Finance? Was it Basil Rajapaksa, Ajith Nivaard Cabraal or P.B. Jayasundera? Who else should be held responsible?” he asked. Rajakaruna said those found responsible should also be brought before the law and punished. 

He made these comments at a press conference held at the Opposition leader’s office in Colombo yesterday. He pointed out that 22 million people are suffering today, and the Government, its Ministers and officials responsible, must pay compensation to the people. “Therefore, they must be made responsible. As a responsible Opposition we will request a select committee to be set to probe and identify the culprits,” he said. 

Commenting on the return of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Rajakaruna said, while an ex-President must be accorded the facilities and benefits that come with the post, there is a question of how ethical it is for Rajapaksa to enjoy such privileges. 

“He was driven away by the people. He did not complete his tenure and instead fled the country. Is it fair that the people should bear yet another burden by having to pay for his privileges? Despite what the law says, he has no ethical or moral right to avail himself of all this,” he stated.

Also addressing the media briefing, SJB MP S.M. Marikkar accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe of protecting Rajapaksa and providing him with all the necessary facilities to return to Sri Lanka. “It is clear it is the doing of Wickremesinghe,” he said.

“It is Gotabaya Rajapaksa who caused this crisis. When he was first appointed as President a loaf of bread cost Rs. 60. It was Rs. 160 when he fled and now when he returns it has risen to Rs. 300. They have provided security to such a person,” he said. 

Marikkar stated that, instead of being allowed to live in luxury, Rajapaksa should be arrested, and legal action must be taken against him for the destruction of the country’s economy. “By not doing this it only goes on to prove the fact that the President is the protector of Rajapaksa and his clan. This is a tragic situation. He will reap the benefits of his actions in the near future,” he said. 

He also warned that a second uprising of the people will be inevitable given the worsening situation of the country. “The Government will not be able to repress that uprising,” Marikkar added.