News
USD 6.5 mn payment to Zuberi: Cabraal says done on written instructions of govt.
Former Governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, has said that payments were made to a person named Imaad Zuberi in 2014 on the official written instructions of the government.
Cabraal has issued the following statement in response to JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s claim that a payment of USD 6.5 mn was made by Ajith Nivard Cabraal to a ‘US CIA agent’ named Imaad Zuberi: As the banker to the Government, the payments made by the Central Bank, on behalf of the Government, in 2014, have been made on the official written instructions of the Government, and not on the wishes of a single person. Such payments included those made to the said Imaad Zuberi and his organisations that were engaged by the Government in respect of communication programmes in the USA.
In that regard, it must be stated that all payments, on behalf of the Government, had been made based on the official written instructions and approval of the relevant Government authorities. Further, the respective payment protocols and procedures had been followed by the Central Bank in the normal course of business when making these payments. Therefore, it can be confirmed that there has been no procedural, or other violation, by the Central Bank in making the payments totalling USD 6.5 million to Zuberi and his organisations, on behalf of the Government.
Nevertheless, as it is now observed, there are certain groups of politically motivated persons, who had been alleging that these payments have been made by me, personally, in a fraudulent manner, thereby causing a loss to the country.
In that regard, it must be stated that these same groups had these transactions investigated, in detail, for five years, from 2015 to 2019, and after doing so, it had not been possible to point out any lapses, or violations, of any law, on my part. As a result, no action was instituted against me by any law enforcement authority, during that period of five years.
Nevertheless, these politically motivated groups have once again begun to hurl false allegations against me in order to tarnish my reputation and provoke public hatred upon me. While vehemently denying those allegations, I must state that I will respond to these despicable actions through the legal process and also institute action against the perpetrators of these falsehoods, at the appropriate time, in order to hold them accountable for their abusive actions.”
An opposition grouping alleged yesterday (18) that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had become a political tool in the hands of the JVP/NPP to suppress the Opposition both in and outside Parliament.
Former Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris accused the CIABOC of fabricating cases against political opponents by manipulating those summoned. He tore into the institution, alleging that it drove people to suicide.
Addressing the media at the former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Flower Road office, Prof. Peiris alleged that former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena, had been a victim of that despicable strategy. Director General of CIABOC, ex-High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake, had warned Chandrasena of dire consequences unless the latter fully cooperated with the Commission, Prof. Peiris said.
Prof. Peiris emphasised the responsibility on the part of all concerned to examine Chandrasena’s affidavit regarding the intervention made by the Director General.
Chandrasena committed suicide while being on bail in connection with an investigation into the alleged USD 2 mn bribe to facilitate an Airbus deal during the second term of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Prof. Peiris alleged that the CIABOC Director General had taken control of the Commission and was pursuing an agenda inimical to the law. (SF)
News
Over 5,000 military personnel promoted to coincide with 17th anniversary of victory over terrorism
In line with the 17th National War Heroes’ Commemoration Day, which falls on 19 May, a total of 5,289 Tri Service personnel have been granted promotions to their next respective ranks in recognition of their dedicated service rendered to the nation, the Defence Ministry announced.
The National War Heroes’ Commemoration Day is commemorated annually on 19 May to honour and appreciate the invaluable sacrifices and exemplary service of members of the Tri Forces who contributed immensely towards restoring peace and safeguarding the sovereignty of the motherland.
Accordingly, these promotions have been awarded, based on the recommendations of the respective Service Commanders, and in accordance with the established administrative procedures of the Tri Forces.
Kalutara is the worst affected district due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) of approximately 200 houses partially damaged so far, about 90% are in the Kalutara district.
DMC said that 22 houses had been damaged in the Ratnapura District, 14 in the Galle District, 4 in the Moneragala District, 25 in the Batticaloa District, 5 in the Colombo District, 4 in the Jaffna District, 25 in the Gampaha District, 2 in the Hambantota District, 2 in the Anuradhapura District, 5 in the Mannar District, and 2 in the Trincomalee District..
One house was destroyed in the Ratnapura District.
The DMC further stated that 1,582 families had been affected by the inclement weather.
The affected families are in 66 Divisional Secretariat divisions across the country.
Accordingly, a total of 5,267 individuals from 1,582 families have been impacted by adverse weather, according to the statement issued by the Centre.
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