News
Electors, public officials also responsible for Sri Lanka’s economic downfall – Gajanayaka
Text and picture by PRIYAN DE SILVA
Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES), Manjula Gajanayaka said that the people who elected crooks, rogues and embezzlers to govern the country, and top public officials who looked on while these unscrupulous lawmakers plundered public wealth were responsible for the current economic crisis.
Gajanayaka pointed out that the very same people who elected the present regime to power had taken to the streets today, seeking the ouster of the government. He said the Sri Lankan voters were carried away by false promises to reelect undesirables to Parliament. He stressed that voters should be cautious when they voted at future elections.
He reiterated that no politician in power could embezzle public funds without the knowledge and consent of executive/staff officers in public service. Therefore, there was no doubt that public servants were well aware of what took place in institutions under their purview. “It is a pity that the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association (SASA) has never intervened to discontinue this culture.
Gajanayaka suggested that it should be made mandatory for people’s representatives and public officials to declare their assets and liabilities.
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.
The Colombo High Court yesterday fixed for Aug. 31 the pre-trial conference in the money laundering case filed by the Attorney General against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, and his great-aunt Daisy Forrest.
The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.
State Counsel Oswald Perera requested court to fix a date for the pre-trial conference and informed the judge that the prosecution would announce its position regarding the second accused, Daisy Forrest, at the conference. He also said the prosecution intended to notify court of amendments to the indictment.
After considering the submissions, Judge Singappuli ordered that the pre-trial conference be held on Aug. 31.
The Attorney General has indicted Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, alleging that they deposited nearly Rs. 59 million in bank accounts knowing, or having reason to believe, that the funds had been unlawfully acquired.
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