Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Undated letter was an “oversight”: Ravi

3 August 2017 06:14 am - 15     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Minister Ravi Karunanayake said that the undated letter, sent to the then Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran was “completely an oversight.” He said that he had not indicated the date and the reference due to an oversight.

When Additional Solicitor General wanted to know the reason as to the origin of such a letter the Minister explained the situation he had as the Finance Minister in the beginning of the 2015.

He said that there was an unaccounted debt in balance and an outstanding repayment amounting Rs. 100 billion, when they assumed duties as the new Government in 2015.

The witness said there was a meeting on February 26, 2015 with Mr. Malik Samarawickrama and Kabir Hashim over the fund requirement of Rs. 75 billion for road development projects.

The meeting was held prior to the controversial bond auction that took place on February 27, 2015.

When questioned he confirmed that there was no sudden need to raise money in February but the funds were required for the payments in RDA projects.

The witness said Mr. Mahendran requested him to send a letter relating to what happened at the February 26, 2015 meeting between the three ministers and thereby he had sent the letter in May 2016.

This letter contained the idea that it was decided at the meeting on the fund requirement of the Government for Rs 75 billion.

The ASG questioned the witness as to why there was no date or reference in the letter. The witness said it was an oversight.

Then the ASG asked whether there was a copy or corresponding Ministry’s file relating to the letter. The witness said he forwarded the letter in response to a request made by Mr. Mahendran.

The ASG repeatedly questioned him as to why he had not mentioned the person who requested the letter.

The ASG was of the view that this letter was created very recently because when it was produced before the PCoI, the letter was apparently new and “crisp.”

However, the witness denied the ASG’s stance and maintained what he said.

When the ASG was attempting to question further as to how the letter originated, the Commission said it was a waste of time because the witness has already made his stance before the Commission.

However, there was a heated argument thereafter between the Commission and the ASG over the relevancy of further questioning on the matter. (Shehan Chamika Silva)


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 - 15

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
  • ANTON Thursday, 03 August 2017 06:33 AM

    HA HAA ,,...... ATLEAST HE HAD NOT KNOWN THE DATE EVEN.DOES HE KNOW HIS DATE OF BIRTH ?

    OVERSIGHT Thursday, 03 August 2017 07:10 AM

    “Ethics and oversight are what you eliminate when you want absolute power.” -- ― DaShanne Stokes -- Dr. DaShanne Stokes is a recognized thought leader, sociologist, columnist, and pundit. A scholar of politics, culture, and civil rights, -wikipedia

    Date stamp Thursday, 03 August 2017 07:16 AM

    At least did this "unsigned: letter have (a) the date stamp, (b) duely entered in the inward register (c) filed in the correct file having the folio number - this are all govt requirements.

    LETTER Thursday, 03 August 2017 07:25 AM

    Hypocrisy is the scarlet letter in politics." -- Mark McKinnon

    nick Thursday, 03 August 2017 07:37 AM

    this guy has to be the biggest fiance minister fraud ever produced by Srilankan politics mother lanka lost billions coz of this fraud via DM Android App

    AjithZ Thursday, 03 August 2017 07:39 AM

    You knew nothing about who paid for penthouse you are occupying, you sign undated official important letters which also without a reference. If you are such a baby and ignorant, irresponsible, how can you be in the parliament, forget about being an important minister such as finance or foreign affairs? Time to go home. Over to you Mr. President and Prime Minister.

    mnsmart Thursday, 03 August 2017 03:35 PM

    who gave him the best finance minister award?

    Mr.Horapalanaya Thursday, 03 August 2017 07:58 AM

    Jokes of the year........You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. Loyal citizen from Dambana, Mahiyanganaya.

    ravin Thursday, 03 August 2017 08:23 AM

    his oversight have become underside of general public wallets.

    Raj Thursday, 03 August 2017 11:00 AM

    They say the letter is new and crispy. Small advice for the next time, rub it on the floor few times and it will look older - no one will suspect!

    Bala Thursday, 03 August 2017 11:15 AM

    Would you admit that it is downright stupid of the President the PM and the Cabinet to have had a Finance Minister (deals with facts and figures) who issues important letters without date or reference. In fact he should not be in the Cabinet, let alone Parliament. He must have done this letter himself because any good Secretary would put in at least the date in typing any letter. Strange ASG did not ask that ?

    Ranjit Thursday, 03 August 2017 12:41 PM

    Does the minister himself, personally write letters?It would have been written by a typist or his secretary andhow come they overlooked to write the date?

    Asanka Thursday, 03 August 2017 03:10 PM

    Might have been a love letter..usually has no dates. C'mon act like a man, without telling a lie to cover another lie.

    Harry Friday, 04 August 2017 08:19 AM

    Such Lawyers generally lies diplomatically!

    sacre blieu Friday, 04 August 2017 09:06 AM

    Hey man. Out of sight. I say what? The worlds greatest conjurer of illicit wealth. The CB, obviously had to have a helping hand Like (helping Hambantota) to indulge in such a n extraordinary huge looting of a Central Bank. The wealth of the Nation is embedded in the debt.


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.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





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

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H

MIRROR CRICKET

More