CB Scam should be dealt with as a criminal case: MS

25 January 2017 11:04 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena said today that he had found that the investigation of the Central Bank bond scam was being carried out under civil law after the matter was referred to the Auditor General's department by the Prime Minister's office. He said it must be taken up as a criminal case.

Rejecting the allegations against the Auditor General, the President said it was he who had appointed the Auditor General who was regarded by the entire country as an honest official. "It was I who removed Arjuna Mahendran and replaced him with Dr. Kumaraswamy who is acclaimed by the whole world," he added.

Addressing a function for the opening of the replica of the Avukana Buddha statue at Abhayaramaya in Narahenpita he vowed that fraudsters would be punished irrespective of whether they were supporters of the government or the opposition.

President Sirisena stated that after those responsible for the recent Central Bank bond scam were punished he would take action to punish those involved in frauds at the Central Bank during the seven or eight years prior to the current scam.

Turning to the Ven. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Mahanayake Thera, who had earlier made a remark that the commissions were pointless, the President said that he had decided to appoint a commission on the bond issue after obtaining the advice of top legal luminaries in the country, purely to expedite the investigations.

"There were allegations that I had appointed a commission in order to sweep the matter under the carpet. Having come out of a regime that was corrupt to the core, I do not want to establish a similar rule. A thief is a thief, no matter who he is. I will do what is correct," he said.

He said that he discarded the cabinet paper to legalise homosexuality as he did the proposal to legalise prostitution. "I will reject any proposal that would be detrimental to the country," he said.

He averred that he would not give in to anybody excepting the people of the country. He reiterated his earlier stand that foreign judges would not participate in the investigations into human rights violations. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

Video by Janaka

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Comments - 19

Sara Thursday, 26 January 2017 08:44 AM

let us wait and see. Proof of the pudding is in the eating after all.

Manel Thursday, 26 January 2017 06:38 PM

Well said Mr. President.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 26 January 2017 03:00 PM

With statements like "no foreign judges" it is clear that your mindset is not about truth, justice and principles but simply about hiding things that you would not want to come to the open and injustice. Please get your principles straight and you will go a long way due to your forthrightness, otherwise you will be another crooked leader like those we have been having for the past 50 years.

Labby Thursday, 26 January 2017 02:52 PM

Why weren't COPE reports submitted during the previous administration also dealt with in a similar way? Everybody is roaring now; was there even a whisper earlier?

John V Iagra Thursday, 26 January 2017 02:43 PM

I say Sorisena you leave this to Ranil OK!!??You just eat what you get and watch what's happening!!

Deepal Thursday, 26 January 2017 02:16 PM

Still you do not know who the Ranil..Your thinking is match with your name

Premalal Thursday, 26 January 2017 02:05 PM

Any 12 year old kid would have told you that over two years ago. Either you should get educated or fire the so many advisors you have and replace them with one intelligent person.

Amanda Thursday, 26 January 2017 01:22 PM

Hope the president would walk the talk without Vacillating. via DM Android App

Bakaladasa Thursday, 26 January 2017 09:03 AM

You can expect some real Chess now.

ceylon Thursday, 26 January 2017 08:49 AM

exclude foreign judgess shows how corrupt you are. via DM Android App

Manushya Thursday, 26 January 2017 06:18 AM

Using "I" as never brfore? Do I smell a split in the coalition government?

Hello Thursday, 26 January 2017 08:39 AM

Haven't we heard this talk before? Nothing happens in the end.

suresh Thursday, 26 January 2017 08:28 AM

someone has been reading the papers!

@LLD Thursday, 26 January 2017 08:24 AM

better to have talks with MR and join hands for the coming local government elections as courts have proved they are innocent via DM Android App

Lanki Thursday, 26 January 2017 08:20 AM

Why investigations are held only on the 2015 bond transactions? Presidential Commission should investigate all bond transactions of past 12 years.

Citizen Thursday, 26 January 2017 08:20 AM

No, all talk no final results

WISE DONKEY Thursday, 26 January 2017 08:07 AM

I had great respect for Ranil although I am not a sympathizer of any political parties because of his corruption free political life. Even in this Bond scandal I don't think he is involved but his friend let him down. Only mistake Ranil did is he trusted the friend and stood by him. He should have given a freehand to have an open inquiry without defending the culprit.

Lankan Thursday, 26 January 2017 07:52 AM

Mr President you have not punished a single person from the previous government although you are keep saying they were corrupt to the core. CB issue should have been over by now and you too blaming others still? We are loosing trust in you and the PM.

Jagath Leanage Thursday, 26 January 2017 06:20 AM

Taking time to protect friends . Nothing will happen and will swept under the carpet .

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CB Scam should be dealt with as a criminal case: MS

Comments - 19

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