Several ex-Cabinet ministers questioned; Ranil, Sajith, too likely to be summoned

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has initiated an inquiry into the shifting of the Agriculture Ministry situated at Rajamalwatte, to a building belonging to the D. P. Jayasinghe Group of Companies, at Rajagiriya, during the Yahapalana government.

The building was rented for a five-year period at a cost of over Rs 1 bn by the yahapalana government within months after the then President Maithripala Sirisena declared opened the 10-storey building complex.

The CIABOC yesterday morning recorded former yahapalana minister Gayantha Karunatilleke’s statement in connection with the investigation. Later in the day, CIABOC recorded the statement of SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabanadara. Earlier CIABOC summoned former ministers Thalatha Atukorale, Wajira Abeywardena and Lakshman Kiriella. At the time of the finalisation of the deal, KIriella was in the UNP.

Sources said that former PM and President Ranil Wickremesinghe, too, was likely to be questioned in this regard. Responding to The Island queries, sources pointed out even SJB leader Sajith Premadasa was expected to be questioned.

The then Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is on record as having said that the building was rented in keeping with a decision taken by the government and not Parliament.

The UNP-SLFP coalition shifted the Agriculture Ministry to accommodate 16 Sectoral Oversight Committees therein.

Although the government paid as much as Rs. 21.5 mn monthly rent to D.P.A. Jayasinghe Company, the Agriculture Ministry failed to move in for over a year. The then Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake sought Cabinet approval on Dec 1, 2015 to rent the building.

According to inquiries conducted earlier by the Presidential Commission appointed to probe state sector corruption, the Agriculture Ministry sought Cabinet approval for a new building after the then Prime Minister Wickremesinghe submitted a cabinet proposal on 21 September, 2015, to use the Agriculture Ministry building for Parliament’s sectoral oversight committees.

PM Wickremesinghe’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake has told the Commission that public funds could have been saved if the several vacant floors of Suhurupaya belonging to the Defence Ministry had been made available to the Agriculture Ministry.

By Shamindra Ferdinando ✍️

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker arrived in Colombo yesterday (11) to underscore US interest in defence, trade and maritime security in line with their Indo-Pacific strategy.

The US embassy here issued the following statement: “Under Secretary Hooker will meet with Sri Lankan counterparts to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues, focused on deepening economic and commercial ties, strengthening defence cooperation, and supporting Sri Lanka’s economic and maritime sovereignty.

The United States and Sri Lanka share a strong and enduring partnership rooted in our mutual commitment to regional security, economic growth, and prosperity for our peoples. Through close cooperation on defence, trade, and maritime security, we are working together to advance a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.

As we continue to build on our strategic partnership, the United States also stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they respond to the devastating impacts of Cyclone Ditwah. We remain committed to working together to address both immediate challenges and long-term opportunities for our two nations, reflecting our ongoing commitment to the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership.”

A ceremony to felicitate veteran Sri Lankan artistes now domiciled in the United Kingdom was held last Sunday in London. The event, Avarjana, took place at the White Hill Centre in Chesham and was organised single-handedly by Mudith de Silva, with support from Jayantha Sarath Kumara.

The artistes honoured at the ceremony were Punya Heendeniya, Gamini Abeysinghe, Wimal Alahakoon, Lilani Perera, Anoma Wattaladeniya, Sriyani Fonseka and Kamalangani Perusinghe.

Punya Heendeniya, a student of the renowned Panibaratha, played the lead role in his ballet Ditti Mangalika. She made her film debut as Katherina in Deiyange Rate. She went on to perform in several acclaimed films, including Sri 296, Suneetha, Kurulu Bedda, Sikuru Tharuwa, Gamperaliya, Para Sathu Mal, Ran Salu, Ranwan Karal and Kaliyugaya.

Actor Gamini Abeysinghe made his debut in Daskam and later appeared in nine films, among them Sudu Pareviyo, Sangeetha, Sinawai Inawai and Hadwathaka Wasanthya. After moving to England in 1975, he produced several stage plays, including Kelani Palama and Bodinkarayo, and also directed and acted in a number of television dramas. He is married to dancer Kamalangani Perusinghe.

Kamalangani Perusinghe, also a student of Panibaratha, became a respected dance teacher and was the first to establish a Sri Lankan dance academy in London. She trained numerous dancers and had the rare honour of performing with her students at Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Wimal Alahakoon, a chartered engineer by profession, entered the arts through Sudath Rohana’s teledrama Ira Batu Tharuwa. He later won a Sumathi Award for his performance in Rodney Vidanapathirana’s Hemanthaye Wasanthayak. Alahakoon produced and acted in several films and teledramas, including Ayomi, Keera Kotuwe Gedara, Maw Senehasa and Ira Sewaya.

Anoma Wattaladeniya was selected for the lead role in Lester James Peries’ Akkara Paha while still a schoolgirl. She also appeared in Reyatha Dawalath and Geetha, and later worked as a newscaster and producer at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation before relocating to the UK.

Lilani Perera, a nurse by profession, first gained fame as a radio artiste, most notably for her portrayal of Gomari in the popular radio drama Muwanpalessa. She also performed in Monarathenna, Vajira, Handiyegedara, Guwan Viduli Rangamadala and Adara Katha, among others. After moving to England in the 1980s, she acted in Rata Giya Ettho, the first teledrama filmed in the UK, and later produced and performed in several other productions, including Ira Bata Tharuwa, Monalisa, Hemanthaye Wasanthayak, Paradeesaya, Thisara Thotupala, London Bridge and Yathra.

Sriyani Fonseka, sister of Sri Lankan cinema icon Malini Fonseka, acted in more than 20 films before moving to England. Her notable appearances include roles in Anusha, Jodu Walalu, Punchi Baba, Nedeyo, Sudu Parewiyo and Wasanthaye Davasak.

The evening also featured performances by the Hela Kala Dance and Theatre Group led by Maduka Ferdinad, with vocal contributions from Prashan Deepthikumara, Jagath Jayasinghe, Wachintha Jayasooriya, Madhi Karunarathne and Dhanusha Samanmalee. The event was compered by Sajith Wathsala

By Sujeeva Nivunhella in London ✍️