Galle Face protesters ask for probe in terms of Money Laundering Act

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Sarvapaskshika Aragalakaruwo (All-party Agitators) of the Galle Face protest movement has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) seeking an investigation into Rohitha Rajapaksa’s ownership of ‘Green Eco Lodge’ hotel situated at Gongalakanda, Kolonna, in Embilipitiya, close to Sinharaja.

The grouping, in a letter dated August 29, addressed to CID Director Rohana Premaratne, has requested that the probe on the youngest son of former President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa be conducted in terms of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act No 05 of 2006.

Having lodged the complaint at the CID headquarters, on Monday (29), Nirashan Withanage, the spokesperson for the outfit, told the media they expect the police to establish the circumstances under which Rohitha Rajapaksa procured the hotel, situated on a 13-acre land.

The Sirasa TV, in its Monday main news bulletin, quoted Rohitha Rajapaksa as having said that the hotel had been constructed, adhering to all legal requirements. Acknowledging that he owned the land in partnership, Rohitha Rajapaksa challenged that legal action be taken if laws had been violated. Sirasa further quoted him as having said that those who directed unsubstantiated allegations, too, should be prepared to face legal action.

Both Sarvapaskshika Aragalakaruwo and civil society activist Nayanaka Ranwella, on behalf of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), on Monday, called for a no holds barred investigation into Rohitha Rajapaksa’s ownership of the hotel that was set on fire by a group of persons on May 10, the day after UPFA goons attacked Galle Face protesters.

Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s Office, Ranwella said that there had been controversy over the ownership of the hotel. Following accusations made by Sajeewa Chamikara, of the Movement for Land and Agriculture Reform (MONLAR), that severe environmental damage had been caused by the construction of the hotel, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who was named the proprietor, denied the accusations. Ranwella displayed pictures of the hotel and a helipad built while raising the contentious issue of how waste and other discarded items from the hotel were disposed of.

Sarvapaskshika Aragalakaruwo and the SJB said that in the wake of the recent arrest of four persons, by the Kolonna police, over the May 10 attack on the hotel, Rohitha Rajapaksa’s ownership had been established. The suspects, aged between 25 and 50 years, have been identified as residents of Kolonna.

Lawyer Withanage questioned the circumstances Rohitha Rajapaksa procured the hotel as he had never been employed and therefore his source of income is questionable.

Another spokesperson for Sarvapaskshika Aragalakaruwo said that they would pressure the government over this issue. “We are hoping to lodge a complaint with the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption),” the activist said. Responding to another query, the spokesperson said that both President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakse recently declared that the government would soon enact an anti-corruption Bill.