News
Justice Minister sheds more light on USD 250 million bribe paid to buckle X-Press Pearl case
by Saman Indrajith
Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakse told Parliament yesterday that US dollars 250 million has been credited to the bank account of one Chamara Gunasekera as a bribe to prevent the Sri Lanka government from securing damages over the X-Press Pearl ship disaster caused off the Colombo Port from its operator.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister said: “I am saying this based on information I have received and cannot take responsibility for it. I do not know whether this information could be used as evidence. The Ministry of Defence and the police should conduct investigations in this regard.”
The Minister said a limitation procedure had been filed in the UK to limit the damages which the Sri Lankan government could claim. “The government has already filed a case countering this move to get the limitation procedure case canceled,” the Minister said.
The Minister said that USD 250 million had been transferred to Natwest Premier 5000 Pounds Account of Chamara Gunasekara.
Minister Rajapakse said that the CID was conducting an investigation and more information would be made available soon.
It has been reported that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne has been found dead at his residence in Athurugiriya this morning (17)
it is suspected that he may have taken his own life.
A heated argument broke out between Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar during the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (16).
A video footage of the incident shows the MP and the Minister engaging in a heated verbal exchange, following which a physical confrontation appeared to develop when the Minister attempted to grab files reportedly in the possession of MP Ramanathan.
“If you lay a hand on me, I’ll lay a hand on you too… got it?” Ramanathan is heard telling the Minister during the exchange.
Police and officials present at the meeting intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation were not immediately clear.
Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal in connection with a petition filed by former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The Cardinal has sought permission from the court to make submissions in relation to Sallay’s petition and requested that it be dismissed.
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