State revenue given to private firms on political links during past 3 years: Prez

27 January 2018 06:15 am - 31 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Firing yet another barrage ahead of the local government polls, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday the government incurred a major loss of revenue during the past three years because it had been channelled to private companies on political connections.

He said this at a meeting with the heads of print and electronic media institutions.

The President said several more frauds had taken place in the re-export business, even sullying the image of Ceylon Tea and Pepper.

“Amid this unscrupulous trading practice, tea of inferior quality was imported to Sri Lanka for value addition before being re-exported as tea of Sri Lankan origin. It has brought Sri Lanka’s tea trade into disrepute. In addition to tea, even pepper, dry arecanuts called karunka and pineapples wee imported to be re-exported in this same manner,” he said.

The President said there was a huge price difference between the actual cost and the retail prices of various items sold in the local market and that he had raised this matter on more than 100 occasions in the Cabinet though little or nothing happened.

“Let's say the import cost is sometimes only Rs.500. With a profit margin, it can be easily sold at Rs.750 but it is sold at Rs.1,500. The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) should look into it,” he said.

Commenting on the annual budgetary allocations for various sectors, the President said only 50 to 60 per cent of it had been spent by the year end.

Referring to economic matters of the previous regime, he said the then government had made external borrowings amounting to Rs.10 trillion, but the accomplishments on the ground had reflected an expenditure amounting to Rs.1 trillion.

“I am saying this with responsibility after a proper study. The figure is in trillions. In fact, I even consulted someone with expertise on arithmetic to ascertain the veracity of these figures. Only Rs.1 trillion has been documented,” he said.

Referring to the Central Bank bond scam, the President said though this government was elected to eliminate corruption, the ‘General Treasury’ was plundered barely two months after it assumed office and asked how he could remain passive in the face of stoic silence by some in the face of such massive frauds.

The President said through he had initially intended to make his statement only on the scam, he was compelled to do so prematurely by those who kept pushing for it.

The President said there were bundles equal to two lorry loads of supportive documents submitted to the Presidential Commission which probed the bond scam.

“I made my statement after consulting legal experts. In fact, this is the first statement made by me in my whole political life, with the involvement of others.The PRECIFAC report was also presented in the meantime. It was not something pre-planned only a coincidence. It was only the bond report that was handed over and one side would have agitated for a debate ahead of the elections but they remained silent because of the PRECIFAC report,” he said.

The President said an unholy alliance of bandits had emerged to cover up corruption and frauds.

Commenting the abortive attempt by former minister Ravi Karunanayake to make a statement in Parliament on the allegations against him, the President said it would have been politically suicidal for him had he made that statement.

He said Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe had stopped Mr. Karunanayake from making that statement on one occasion and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on the other.

Declining to say more on the bond scam, he said some ill-gotten money had been sneaked out for bribing some officials. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 31

Rosh Saturday, 27 January 2018 06:43 AM

A repetition of the 2015 election gimmick by Sirisena lambasting MR a rogue and doing the same in a different manner this time around also alleging Ranil and UNP now his rivals. Who on earth can rob 90% of the loans obtained ??? What about all the audits of CB and AG's Dept??? Say something realistic that people can believe Sirisena. Your advisers are humilating you! Good lesson for Ranil / UNP for trusting this person that betrayed his Party.

Mandayan Saturday, 27 January 2018 04:31 PM

Isn't not like a Police Inspector, standing outside a police station and crying foul saying, 'someone nick his valet with salary' left in his desk drawer. Funny Enough.

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 27 January 2018 06:54 AM

Just another drama for election? If so you too responsible for that since you are head of present administration. You cant palm of responsibilities and irregularities.

Missaka Saturday, 27 January 2018 07:07 AM

My gosh!, so this government is the most corrupted government since the Independence!. You must take the responsibility of that.

Citizen Saturday, 27 January 2018 07:07 AM

Enough talk , now take action against the culprits or will nothing happen after elections?

Tax Payer Saturday, 27 January 2018 07:17 AM

Dear Sir, instead of teasing us citizens with your tidbits of information, take a stand and do something. You are feeble when it comes to taking decisive action.

Ajith Saturday, 27 January 2018 07:17 AM

Exactly, Maharaja's got public spectrum (channel) without paying a cent.

Ceylon Saturday, 27 January 2018 08:00 AM

To whom you are telling man???.are you president or pion of the president???.

De Silva Saturday, 27 January 2018 08:16 AM

He has gone mad

rohantha Saturday, 27 January 2018 08:28 AM

Right or wrong, president has burned his bridge with the unp.

John Saturday, 27 January 2018 08:55 AM

The import cost of something might be Rs 500.By the time port levies, customs duties, container inspection charges, VAT, CESS, and every other tax is added, the cost is now likely to be Rs 1000 or more.After that, the importer still has to move it somewhere, and sell it and make a profit!With all the taxes, many made up on the spot it seems, no one wants to ship anything to Sri Lanka, reducing the number who do want to do so, and allowing the few who will import to charge what they like. You might want to start looking at the taxes, they are ridiculous.

Harry Monday, 29 January 2018 08:28 AM

John - Sri Lankan spices and Tea are on top of the ladder for Quality and price withe result of hard working genuine local exporters, the The latest trade pacts opened doors to import poor quality Tea, Pepper, Cinnamon etc and exported as Sri Lankan products. The nerly loss of our Russian Tea Market and latest allegation from Japan on our Tea are jua two recent proofs my dear! - Please wake up and protect our Sri Lankan Products! -

Dam Saturday, 27 January 2018 09:01 AM

So you were the President and still the President .... What action did you take. We elected you not to play political games but to be neutral. So far you are the worst ever president we have seen when it comes to leadership

Dash Saturday, 27 January 2018 09:02 AM

Why are you always helpless ? While being a minister you were helpless against MR and could do nothing! You just stood by all the corruption. Now as a the president you sit and make statements about the last three years where you the president? You are equally responisble for the corruption in the last three years. Whats the point of a president who only opens his mouth three eyars later in the face of corruption and daylight robbery?

sam Silva Saturday, 27 January 2018 09:03 AM

What a joke. He is the Executive President. Why can't he investigate and bring the corrupt to justice. Three years what has he done for Yahapalanaya. All around Maithree are old SLFPer having corruption allegations against them.It was Maithree who made the Bribery Commission head Dilrukshi to resign, after he interfered with Avant Garde investigation.Having done no real corruption inverstigation for THREE years, he is now promising putting all those corrupt in jail. Ha ha ha

Govi vitharna Saturday, 27 January 2018 09:15 AM

Better take action than making statements.or we will not not no what's the true motive. Unless orders are given government authorities won't act

Sambo Saturday, 27 January 2018 09:25 AM

Dear Mr. President. We expect you to take stern action against any one who has done so immaterial of his party. This is the same thing that happened during the previous government. They offer huge loans with no security to their good friends by banks and other means and the monies are never recovered and there by the banks face sever problems. These politicians think when they come to power the entire country is their private property. I think you should pass a law that no large loans should be given without your consent.

Kumara Dharmarathne Saturday, 27 January 2018 09:27 AM

Sir, Please don't forget all these things happened under your watch and you are now telling people that you will do what you failed to do in the last three years. People are not that ignorant.

Sunil Saturday, 27 January 2018 09:29 AM

These statements come in the wake of the notorious RK claiming that HE the President had absolved him, the PM and the UNP of the bond scam. I am now compelled to believe that all these three are actively involved.This reminds me of "Where we learned of men and learned of books and learned to play the game." The first two had really learned to "play the game." gemak denna.

Countryman Saturday, 27 January 2018 09:32 AM

Thank you for revealing some truth. Perhaps, how do you deal with it?. This is the time Country needs solutions for problems.

pradeep Saturday, 27 January 2018 09:52 AM

If he was aware of such malpractices he should have taken action as the head of cabinet without making political statements just to collect some votes.

Labby Saturday, 27 January 2018 10:01 AM

If he could have intervened in such trivial matters like who could buy or serve liquor, then why not this? Where was he if and when this allegation of his was taking place?

M. Basnayake Saturday, 27 January 2018 10:13 AM

Wow Mr. President, the fact that you will lose the coming local elections badly seems to have pushed you into dementia. I understand that corruption exists in this country but what you are saying is clearly half truths and lies to deceive people to gain political points. As president, you should act more responsibly. Why not announce the creation of a commission of inquiry if what you say is really true?

punchinilame Saturday, 27 January 2018 03:24 PM

Sword Sirisena`s allegations are not worth even sending toyour notorious website: tellthepresident.lk for posterity sake!

Gayan Saturday, 27 January 2018 03:39 PM

Cry baby.

ruwani Saturday, 27 January 2018 04:33 PM

So what were you doing while all these misdeeds were taking place? Are U NOT THE HEAD of state of this country ? Did it take the LG elections for you to disclose

daham Saturday, 27 January 2018 05:18 PM

Now the man is fully upset as he sees pohottuwa is rising up up and above steadily. So he tells people all silly things.

Silva Sunday, 28 January 2018 01:54 PM

Yes parking fee revenue along Galle Road and Duplication road has been leased out for a song by the CMC to a private firm who is now imposing unbelievable exponential penalties on the public as late fees. I wonder whether I could lease out Marine Drive. I'm sure I will be the next Onassis of Colombo if I can get the contract.

Sincere Sunday, 28 January 2018 03:29 PM

OOhh. Last 3 years? Mahinda was the President for the last 3 years? Take him to task!

TONY Sunday, 28 January 2018 05:27 PM

CORRUPTION BY POLITICIANS WILL NEVER END UNLESS MS AS PRESIDENT WHO VOWED TO WIPE OUT CORRUPTION TAKES ACTION AGAINST THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS WITHOUT SOLICITING BENEFITS FROM THEM

sacre blieu Monday, 29 January 2018 08:57 AM

So what is new.

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State revenue given to private firms on political links during past 3 years: Prez

Comments - 31

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