Taking the bull by the horns - EDITORIAL

26 March 2015 06:30 pm - 2 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Amid public criticism of the Government’s delay in taking action against former VIPs who were allegedly involved in large scale corruption, the Police announced on Wednesday they would seek a court order for former minister Basil Rajapaksa to return to the country for questioning.

Mr. Rajapaksa, political strongman in the former regime of his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, was the Minister of Economic Development, which ran the Divi Neguma Department – a subject of much controversy. Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara told a media briefing they wanted to question Mr. Rajapaksa on charges relating to the spending of more than Rs.73 million for a national conference, printing 15,000 almanacs, using a huge amount from ministry funds for the January 8 presidential election and the Divi Neguma bonus fraud.

Mr. Rajapaksa who was also the National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) left the country on January 11 in the aftermath of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s stunning defeat at the presidential election. Many critics and even supporters said what he did – deserting the party at a time of tribulation – raised many questions. He is also a dual citizen of Sri Lanka and the United States and many political parties are demanding laws to prevent dual citizens from contesting parliamentary or local council elections.

It is a strange twist of fate that one of the Rajapaksa regime’s most criticised acts – the hurried impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake in January 2013 – was widely believed to be linked with the creation of the powerful Divi Neguma Department. A few months before the impeachment, a Supreme Court Bench headed by Shirani Bandaranayake had ruled that the Divi Neguma bill must be passed by a two-thirds majority and at a referendum of the people. What we sow, we reap. If we sow the wind, we reap the whirlwind. The cause and effect principle is a reality.

With the change of regime on January 8 and the installation of the National Unity Government headed by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the impeached Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake’s reputation was cleared and she was officially restored in office last month though she chose to gracefully retire the next day because of the political controversy over the issue. On the other hand it seems that the wheels of justice are turning on Basil Rajapaksa who would be compelled to return to Sri Lanka for questioning if he intends to clear his name.

In another connected allegation, President Sirisena has ordered that a controversial move to import as many as 22,500 milch cows from Australia be cancelled immediately. He had been concerned when he heard the details of this expenditure from the new Social Welfare and Livestock Development Minister P. Harrison. The minister said the former regime during its last days had hastily imported some 2,000 milch cows from Australia spending Rs.1 million for each of the animals with loans taken from state banks and had hurriedly placed another order for 2,500 just before the elections. This entire deal had now been fully cancelled. The government now seems to be taking the bull by the horns.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 2

Sameen Jan Friday, 27 March 2015 08:37 AM

How much does a Australian milch cow cost with no horns- if that is cheaper?

sacre blieu Saturday, 28 March 2015 09:08 AM

This mountainous heap of corruption and other crimes being investigated by a few competent people will take years to a successful prosecution and some may take a natural death, due for reasons that were seen in earlier cases. However for the dedication and participation of the investigators a ,at the least, fair reward and an incentive should be granted. This is an important situation as otherwise it would all end in a fiasco.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Taking the bull by the horns - EDITORIAL

Comments - 2

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

New Visa procedure implemented

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

MIRROR CRICKET

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

TODAY'S HEADLINES

United States and SL Navy collaborate in CARAT 2024 exercise in Trincomalee

Upcountry estate workers stage a token strike

People have already selected Ranil for Presidency: Prasanna

Construction work for India-funded 10,000 housing units commenced

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations