By Shamindra Ferdinando

Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera has alleged that the re-appointment of Nimal Siripala de Silva as the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation proved that the same system is in place, in spite of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster.

How can the SLFPer clear himself of serious bribery allegations so fast, the civil society activist asked, referring to bribery accusations made, both in and outside Parliament, relating to the Japanese Taisei Corporation.

Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa led the campaign against the senior SLFPer after he revolted from the SLFP to accept a portfolio in the planned all-party national government, formed by the previous President.

Then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa asked Minister de Silva to step down, temporarily, pending an investigation into bribery allegations relating to the settlement of contractual issues of $ 570 million with Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded Terminal-2 construction work at the BIA Development Project (BIADP) Stage two.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Office announced de Silva’s stepping down on July 06, just days before, in the guise of peaceful protests, overran the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s House, Temple Trees, PM’s office and torched PM’s private residence, forcing him to leave the country.

Referring to a statement issued by the Presidential Media Division (PMD) on Tuesday (02) late afternoon that dealt with the issue at hand, lawyer Perera said the government owed an explanation how a committee appointed by President Wickremesinghe on July 22 cleared de Silva within 10 days.

The lawyer urged the government to release the report submitted by the three-member committee as the PMD declared that its report cleared the lawmaker of all accusations.

Retired High Court Judge, Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, PC, chaired the committee. Retired Senior Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police S.M. Wickremasinghe and Retired Special Grade Officer of Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) S.M.G.K. Perera served as members of the committee.

Lawyer Perera recalled how Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government obtained a report from another committee, also headed by retired High Court Judge, Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, PC, following media furore over the then State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte’s forcible entry into Welikada and Anuradhapura prisons in Sept 2021.

Alleging that report, too, hadn’t been made public, lawyer Perera said that action taken by the former President and the incumbent President, in respect of lawmaker de Silva, weren’t sufficient. Lawyer Perera said that though the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) hadn’t been able to earn the respect of the public, they felt the need to lodge a complaint with the outfit in this regard. “We like to see CIABOC’s reaction to our complaint,” the civil society activist said.

Facilitated by Lawyer Perera activist S.M. Nishar Moulana lodged a complaint last Saturday (July 30).

Responding to another query, lawyer Perera said that those interested in good governance and financial integrity should reveal their stand on this. How could such serious bribery allegations, directed at a Minister, be dealt by a committee, Lawyer Perera asked.

Reiterating his commitment to ongoing public protest against President Wickremesinghe’s government, lawyer Perera said that the new leader should prove his sincerity. Referring to the President’s maiden policy statement, lawyer Perera said that the Prsident’s promise to implement a national policy to combat bribery and corruption should be examined against the backdrop of lawmaker de Silva’s case.

President Wickremesinghe told Parliament that new rules and regulations and orders in this regard were being prepared by the Ministry of Justice. A consensus would be reached with the International Monetary Fund regarding combating corruption, the President assured Parliament.

Secretary to the CIABOC Apsara Caldera told The Island that complaints received would be examined by a committee consisting of three commissioner – Director, Investigations, legal officer and herself. The committee would decide on the complaint received in respect of lawmaker de Silva.

Asked whether the report prepared by retired High Court Judge, Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena would be perused by the CIABOC, Caldera said that, too, was to be decided. The relevant complaint has been already forwarded to the Committee.