Ajith P. challenges MR to sue NY Times

2 July 2018 06:18 pm - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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State Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, Ajith P Perera today challenged former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to sue The New York Times if its June 25 article alleging that his presidential election campaign being funded by a Chinese company, was a fabrication.

"This is a golden opportunity for Mr. Rajapaksa to become the richest person in Sri Lanka if he proves in a US court that the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) had provided US$7.6 million was baseless," he said.

He told a news briefing that in the US character assassination was a serious matter and the US judiciary awards victims of mud-slinging the full amount they request as compensation.

Therefore, as a former president and a prominent politician, Mr. Rajapaksa would not find it difficult to sue the US newspaper at least for US$1 billion.

“What is the truth behind this sordid episode? We have reason to believe that Mr. Rajapaksa's election campaign was funded by the Chinese company because this company had not rejected the allegations published in the NYT. We also saw how Mr. Rajapaksa's campaign team distributed money, gifts and held thamashas during the campaign. They have not disclosed the origin of the funding,” the minister said.

To a question asked by the Daily Mirror why the government remained silent if law enforcement authorities had launched an inquiry, he said the FCID, CID or the Bribery Commission could not disclose information on their investigations to the public.

The minister said it was the responsibility of the Yahapalana government to get to the bottom of this disclosure and take action against the culprits and that it was now Mr. Rajapaksa's responsibility to prove his innocence.

“As long as he does not prove his innocence we have no option but to assume that Mr. Rajapaksa mortgaged national assets to China for political expediency,” he said. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

Video by Sanjeewa

Pic by Nisal Baduge

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Comments - 30

suresh Monday, 02 July 2018 06:25 PM

stop this nonsense of challenging each other you guys are in power investigate and lock these people behind bars but first fix our stupid court system of taking such long time for one case, useless politicians you bunch all same no good for this country

Dami Tuesday, 03 July 2018 02:11 AM

Don’t waste your time can’t catch the the so called rogues

Gona Monday, 02 July 2018 06:29 PM

Aiyoooo perera you don't have any other topics.

truth Monday, 02 July 2018 07:52 PM

What are the other topics you want to discuss?

AMMI Monday, 02 July 2018 10:43 PM

your name itself says what you are !!!

Raigam Rala Monday, 02 July 2018 06:33 PM

As learned lawyer MP Gammanpila suggested in the Bond Scam, best way is to submit an Affidavit confirming MR's position that he has not received any money from China companies for election purpose or otherwise because of his allegiance to Chinese companies in awarding unsolicited projects.This will be the only way to prove his innocence.

Cobra Monday, 02 July 2018 06:43 PM

Clash of the Titans-2?

Mano Monday, 02 July 2018 06:49 PM

I am not a fan of MR, but every one must know that the West control the third world using their Military,Intelligence and News Media. You have to live in the West to hate the West.Living in Sri Lanka you would never understand the dangerous mind of the White Countries.

Mandayan Monday, 02 July 2018 10:10 PM

So, what that do with Chinese funding to MR election campaigns?

MFSL Monday, 02 July 2018 06:54 PM

The crux of the matter is not that MR's election propaganda was funded by China, but that these funds are part of the project costs funded by China and the Sri Lankan public have to bear the debt burden while MR and family enjoys the ill-gotten gains.

macapagal Monday, 02 July 2018 06:56 PM

Yes Ajith Perera is totally correct. If MR is clean then he should take the NY Times to task by filing a case against them. Why is he not doing this. Because he is guilty.

Yeti Monday, 02 July 2018 06:56 PM

What's wrong with Ajith's challenge to MR who puts a vettu every time an opponent challenges him to a public debate?

Buddhist Monday, 02 July 2018 07:02 PM

Minister Ajith Perera should first challenge President Sirisena to appoint a Presidential Commission of Inquiry with full powers to take the case to the courts if it finds out Mahinda took money.

Unchikun Monday, 02 July 2018 07:06 PM

Totally agree with Ajith. We come from a background that think logically, our Alma mater. The cardboard lawyer “Gembanpila “ can take care of this as he does so at the drop of a pin. Interestingly these jokers are silent!!!

Ceylon Monday, 02 July 2018 07:06 PM

No need to go to new york.charge him for the billions robed from lankans in lanka.why your two puppet fearfull bossess dont take action???.are they shared the loot ?????.

Harry Monday, 02 July 2018 07:07 PM

Since 2015 you are after former regimes and Rajapaksas, without hiding the famous BOND issue do something for the country and stop barking to the moon.

abc Monday, 02 July 2018 07:39 PM

So you want the former guys to escape?

Ordinary Man Monday, 02 July 2018 07:09 PM

Those challenges will not give any value to us. If he has done something wrong (we believe that there is no any honest politician currently in Sri Lanka, only the size they steal is different), please take action within the framework, without talking to the gallery. Please do something to this country that we all can satisfy.

Haramanis Monday, 02 July 2018 07:10 PM

Hi Ajith - lets get back to the Bond Scam - it is much more juicy..

mk Monday, 02 July 2018 07:53 PM

BOND SCAM eke phone recordings amathaka wela Ajith P ta.

Graham Monday, 02 July 2018 07:56 PM

They’ve done nothing for 4 years but trying fool the masses....

Cobra Tuesday, 03 July 2018 07:54 AM

Well Abe, you have the option of giving a chance to Hitler!!!!

Cisco Monday, 02 July 2018 08:21 PM

Drunken mouse

dickie bird Monday, 02 July 2018 09:56 PM

This modaya is on an eternal boru show.Serving punakku for the masses and votes.can someone provide him with the gloves.

lakshitha Monday, 02 July 2018 11:12 PM

This money supposed to be given is clearly a bribe given to secure the construction of the Hambantota harbour, The NYtimes reposrt has given the account number at Standard Chartered Bank from which the money was given through cheques. So it is a true report as the CID can and should verify by perusing this account which powers they have, and verify all details of issuance of this bribe ,,and those recieving such bribes should be brought before courts.Another point Rajapakse himself saying he will cut his neck is a total lie,,,and not allowed in any religion,,this proves he is guilty..he is crumbling under pressure.

raj Tuesday, 03 July 2018 01:49 AM

well said

Ravi Tuesday, 03 July 2018 08:33 AM

Master Sir how can i do that when i know what i did.

TONY Tuesday, 03 July 2018 08:54 AM

STOP GOING BEHIND MR AND START TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST BOND SCAM CROOKS

Labby Tuesday, 03 July 2018 10:03 AM

MR doesn't need to sue NY Times to be the richest man in Sri Lanka, he already is the richest man in Sri Lanka. Have we forgotten so soon?

JIM Tuesday, 03 July 2018 11:29 AM

Poor people are too stupid to know they're just chess pieces in a game.

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Ajith P. challenges MR to sue NY Times

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