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Bribery claims involving Japanese contractor: Lawyer asks govt. to come clean over allegations levelled against Nimal Siripala

Published

3 years ago

2022/08/4

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.

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Sun directly overhead Adiyakulam, Veppankulam, Padawiya and Kuchchaveli at about 12:11 noon today [12]

Published

1 hour ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 14th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (12th) are Adiyakulam, Veppankulam, Padawiya and Kuchchaveli at about 12:11 noon

News

Appeals Court clears way for elections to 18 local bodies, including CMC

Published

2 hours ago

2025/04/12

Thilina Walpola

EC, however, may appeal to SC

The Court of Appeal yesterday lifted the interim injunction, which suspended electieons to 18 local councils, including the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). The decision, delivered yesterday morning, clears the way for elections to proceed in those local government bodies. The interim order had originally been issued in response to legal challenges.

Local government elections are expected to be held on 06 May, following this ruling.

The petitions were heard before a bench of the Court of Appeal, comprising Acting President of the Court, Justice Mohamed Laffar, and Justice Priyantha Fernando.

During the hearing, Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe, representing the respondent returning officers, informed the court that the respondents would not be presenting objections to the petitions. He stated that the returning officers had acted in accordance with the law regarding the nominations in question but requested

the court to issue an appropriate order as it saw fit.

Counsel appearing for the petitioners requested the court to direct the returning officers to accept the previously rejected nomination papers.

After considering the submissions, the Court of Appeal issued a writ order invalidating the decisions made by the returning officers to reject the nomination papers. The court subsequently issued another writ order directing the returning officers to re-accept the rejected nominations.

As a result, the stay orders that had previously prevented elections in several local government bodies—including Uda Palatha, Patha Dumbara, Panwila, Akurana, Harispattuwa, Hanguranketha, and Kuliyapitiya—were lifted.

Meanwhile, Election Commission sources said they have instructed officials to obtain copies of recent Court of Appeal rulings related to the 06 May elections, with the intention of submitting appeal applications to the Supreme Court.

Separately, sources at the Department of Government Printing reported that approximately 10 million ballot papers have already been printed for the 06 May election. Government Printer Pradeep Pushpa Kumara told the media that the printing process is expected to be completed by the end of this month.According to the Election Commission, a total of 17,296,330 eligible voters have been registered for the upcoming election.

By Norman Palihawadane and A.J.A. Abeynayake

News

New Year festivities cost more

Published

2 hours ago

2025/04/12

Thilina Walpola

The cost of preparing a traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year sweetmeat table has risen by 7 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to a recent study by Verité Research.The increase is largely attributed to a steep surge in coconut prices, which has significantly impacted the cost of key sweetmeats and festive dishes.

The sweatmeat table, a hallmark of Avurudu celebrations in Sri Lanka, features a variety of traditional sweet items such as milk rice (kiribath), kokis, and aluwa, symbolising prosperity and togetherness. However, the rising cost of coconuts and coconut oil — essential ingredients in many of these preparations— has made this year’s table notably more expensive.

According to the data, collected from open markets in Colombo, and official statistics from the Department of Census and Statistics, the price of coconuts rose by 80 percent year-on-year, while coconut oil increased by 40 percent. As a result, milk rice saw a 57 percent increase in cost, and kokis went up by 35 percent in 2025.

According to the findings, five out of eight core ‘kevili’ items experienced price hikes, while the prices of most other ingredients remained stable or declined. Despite the moderate year-on-year increase, the cost of an average ‘kevili’ table remains more than double what it was in 2019 — 2.4 times higher in 2025, compared to 2.2 times in 2024.

The report says that the broader inflationary pressures affecting seasonal traditions and underscores how fluctuations in agricultural commodity prices, particularly coconuts, continue to impact household celebrations across the country.