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Last Updated : 2024-04-23 22:35:00
11 October 2018 02:40 pm - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Minister of Development Strategies and International trade Malik Samarawickrama yesterday rejected the allegations made by a company that he and his State Minister had demanded a commission of US 25 million to have a project to produce and export High-Speed Trains.
Minister Samarawickrama said this in a statement made in Parliament last afternoon.
“This is a totally false allegation. In fact, I have never met this party, nor have I spoken to them or even seen the colour of them,” the Minister said.
“At no stage do the Ministers get involved in the approval process of projects in Board of Investment (BOI). However, I have requested for and received a report of this proposal, which I will table,” the Minister added.
Accordingly, the Minister said Ceylon High-Speed Railways Ltd. Nugape Pamunugama was incorporated in Sri Lanka on April 9, 2015, with two local directors.
The company had pledged to invest Euro 488 million and to maintain a working capital of Euro 2.2 billion.
The Minister said the company had demanded 2,242 acres of Crown Land in three locations through outright purchase and 1,823 acres of private land. The company had also wanted from the Government 220 prime movers, 40 excavators, 75 boom trucks, 100 land vehicles, 50 buses, 400 bicycles, 1,200 water pumps, 1,500 air conditioning units, four helicopters, 22 special vehicles for the families of investors, three 36 floor office buildings, two ships and 10,000 mobile phones.
“Also the company has demanded 95 per cent tax exemption, permission to operate a private bank and licences for TV and radio channels,” he said.
"However, I have written to DIG-CID, to investigate into the matter at this earliest convenience and take necessary action against any Cabinet Minister, if such funds have been exchanged. I am tabling the letter I have sent to the DIG," he said.
“Last week media institutions alleged that a sum of Rs. 150 million had been received to be credited to my bank account and the Central Bank had frozen the funds.
“This is also a totally false allegation. I have checked with the Central Bank and I was informed that no such funds have been deposited. Is this the media freedom we wanted? This is nothing but freedom of the wild ass,” he also said.
"I request you to kindly take necessary steps to prevent Members of Parliament being insulted and defamed by the irresponsible media outlets, coming out with fake news. If not, no decent person will want to enter Parliament," he added. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)
DHA Thursday, 11 October 2018 03:12 PM
Haaaaaaaaaaaa another amnesia case !!!
Shelly Thursday, 11 October 2018 03:19 PM
There are at least 4 print media units and at least 3 TV units that had dropped down to the level of pigs living on watches..
Saman Thursday, 11 October 2018 03:27 PM
Come on, guys. false allegations. Case closed. Why even bother to complain. All politicians upgraded to sainthood when they land in a parliament sheet.
USAGUY Thursday, 11 October 2018 05:51 PM
Saman you are correct. From no won the MP's should not be called as Hon but St. Here is St.Samarawickrama denying any wrong doings.
Arthur Thursday, 11 October 2018 03:48 PM
4,000 acres! what on earth for? Looks like a heavily window dressed project proposal.
Nahfees Thursday, 11 October 2018 03:48 PM
Sounds fishy? License for TV and Radio Channels.
Aiyo Thursday, 11 October 2018 04:18 PM
Yahapalanaya.....aiyoo sirisena
Ceylon Thursday, 11 October 2018 04:19 PM
from 225 only 25 are decent in parliment.your name is not in the list.
Gam Mirris Thursday, 11 October 2018 04:29 PM
Another wild allegation by a fake company owned by a group of sleazy Srl Lankans. This to grab prime crown land and other resources. This akin to the crooks who had plans to build the tallest building in Asia last year.
Vasa Thursday, 11 October 2018 04:39 PM
Those in media including users of social media should act with greater sense of responsibility.
DG Thursday, 11 October 2018 04:56 PM
What is the business of this Company. list of requirements including land appears fishy. No use looking at CB accounts etc as money can be transferred to foreign accounts without coming here. Present day people are no fools.
Hiran Thursday, 11 October 2018 05:01 PM
Hail Lady Justice !!!
Jim Thursday, 11 October 2018 05:59 PM
‘IF NOT NO DESCENT PERSON WILL WANT TO ENTER PARLIAMENT’ there aren’t any now, either.
Shihan Thursday, 11 October 2018 06:30 PM
Yes ..like the western province council.. it was 24million !
Sri Wickrema Thursday, 11 October 2018 06:54 PM
If what he said is true do we really want this type of foreign investment ? Where are we heading for?
Mandayan Thursday, 11 October 2018 07:10 PM
Central bank of Sri Lanka? We are not fools. We know there is something called Swiss Banks!!
Sambo Thursday, 11 October 2018 07:15 PM
Naturally our good politicians deny everything but the real truth is they are rouges and stooges.
Sara Thursday, 11 October 2018 08:53 PM
This Government is never short of Rogues, Jokers and Porters the latest. What a joke of a Government we are having.
dave Friday, 12 October 2018 08:45 AM
It was not $25M it was $50M.$25M for me the other $25M for my master
Nilame Friday, 12 October 2018 09:02 AM
Decent people entering to the parliament ? No it’ll not happen in SL
ashroff Friday, 12 October 2018 04:52 PM
cat was out of the bag otherwise this wud have gone unnotived everybody knows who malik s is
TONY Sunday, 14 October 2018 12:22 PM
IS THE HOUSE OF REPS A DEN OF CORRUPT POLITICIANS???
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