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Govt would not protect thieves: PM

6 August 2017 10:03 pm - 43     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe speaking at a public function in Hatton today said this government would not protect thieves, and would remove them, but stressed that there should be room for a transparent investigation.

“Today there are so many investigations that ministers are brought before the Attorney General and are questioned. Was there a situation as such before? Those days, the Attorney General was an acolyte of the president. The Attorney General who questioned was removed from the department or else taken in a white van. Now there is room to question anyone. This government will not protect thieves. If anyone found committing frauds, we will act according to probe reports. The UNP is not a party of thieves. If there are thieves in the party we will remove them. Allow us to carry out a transparent and public investigation. The media in Sri Lanka don’t have an ethical right to say that such and such things have happened. Why is that? They covered up corruption of the previous government. They all went shopping “kade”. Divaina, Ada, Lankadeepa, Dinamina, Silumina all went ‘kade’. Tell me who did not do it.

*Allow a transparent investigation

*Says media does not have an ethical right to talk about what happens now

*Says Daily Mirror wanted to him to resign from UNP leader post as he spoke about the loss of SriLankan Airlines, Hambantota Port

Lasantha Wickramatunga was trying to reveal corruption but he was killed. What happened to Eknaligoda? He also revealed about corruption and was abducted and killed. What are they (media institutions) saying now? Not to investigate on the killings of journalists now? When we try to conduct investigations on these and frauds they say it is a threat to security. They are attacking us when we conduct investigation on corruption. We got voted in because people wanted good governance. What the professionals, government servants and the average citizens of the country want is just and free society without corruption. If we do not do it we will not get votes next time. Also we do not want the votes of thieves. We will do everything which we can do to give what people want. Do not have a doubt about that. We will not shout about what we do. I have named some media institutions today. I can also name those who are in them but will not do it now. We have now established an open society today. If someone robs he will get caught. Now see investigations are carried out even against the family of President Donald Trump. If someone does wrong he will get punished.

“I discussed with Minister Kabir Hashim about the losses incurred by Srilankan Airlines. The Airline was running at a loss. The Rajapaksa regime had bought eight A332 planes. Those luxury planes can fly at a stretch to Chicago in the US. However Srilankan only fly up to London. These planes could fly double the distance. What are we to do about these planes which have been purchased in such an irregular manner? The country has suffered a loss of RS 135 billion as a result. The country had also lost Rs 46billion on the Hambantota Port project. The total loss of these two is Rs 181 billion. What did Lankadeepa do when these losses happened? What did Daily Mirror do? Daily Mirror newspaper asked me to resign from the party leadership when I revealed losses happened during the last regime.

The Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government had created an open society, and therefore anyone, indulging in fraud activities would get exposed.

He said, “I am happy to launch bus service between Batticaloa and Hatton. It is an important step facilitating the movement of students who are from this area and study at the Eastern University in Batticaloa. I am grateful for conducting religious ceremonies at Buddhist temples, Mosques, Kovils to shower blessing on me marking my 40th year in politics. It is a pleasure for me to see all of you assembled here. Today, there is freedom of movement for you. We all got together and ensured the victory of President Maithripala Sirisena to achieve this. We have not had such a political era before. Freedom was confined only to a few. There is no need to talk about it. Today, people can live and move without any fear. There is no racism or religious fanaticism. We have to resolve our problems and forge ahead. We have set up Independent Commissions. Parliament is being empowered further. Parliamentary committees have been given more and more authority to summon any official for testifying. If any Minister does not attend to your problems, it can be complained to these committees. Did we ever have such a free society before?

He said,” Let alone, we are proceeding with investigations into corruption. Nobody can be allowed to do corruption. The police have filed cases regarding some cases. We are seeking legal advice on some cases. If there are cases, we have to probe. There was an allegation regarding the bond transaction. First, I appointed an interim committee comprising lawyers. Then, it was referred to the COPE. Though we won the election, we gave the COPE chairmanship to an opposition MP. It was open to all. Afterwards, the President appointed a Presidential Commission.

Today, the Attorney General summons Ministers and questions them. At that time, the Attorney General was a yes-man of the President. I will tell one thing. We will not cover up fraudsters in the government. This is not a party of fraudsters. If there is any, we will expel him. Yet, let us have a transparent probe!

It is like in America. There are so many investigations against President Trump by the media, Congress and so on. Upon receipt of reports, wrongdoers step down. It is same in England. (Yohan Perera)


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  Comments - 43

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  • Ranjan Fernando Monday, 07 August 2017 12:57 AM

    We want more action and satisfactory outcome and not just a verbal diarrhoea!

    Premalal Monday, 07 August 2017 11:58 AM

    Any investigation with R.K as foreign minister will be impossible. He will see to it that he will be out of the country on"official Business" not doubt fighting for the country on every day of the hearings. Case postponed..

    DadsArmy Monday, 07 August 2017 06:09 PM

    PM

    Indrajith Monday, 07 August 2017 02:03 AM

    Then remove RK ASAP and remove the rest involved later.

    Premalal Monday, 07 August 2017 03:35 PM

    The whole country knows what happened and this pathetic man was thrust on the country as the Prime Minister is still waffling.

    Hora Polis Monday, 07 August 2017 02:31 AM

    Mr. Prime Minister, if you are serious, fire Wijedasa R. and establish "Corruption Court" to handle corruption charges

    Raj Monday, 07 August 2017 02:44 AM

    But, when the bond scam information came to public, you appointed a three member committee which within few weeks gave a clean opinion that there were no wrong doings. Are you referring to that sort of transparent investigation?

    Sunil Monday, 07 August 2017 10:43 AM

    That committee had taken arrived at their verdict even before the case was heard.

    Ravi Monday, 07 August 2017 03:02 AM

    What more evidence do you need? The biggest robbery in the country worth US$1.5 billion more than the US$ 1 billion we recived selling the port? Are you blind? Show us you can eliminate and recover the losses. Respect has to be earnt..

    Premalal Monday, 07 August 2017 12:03 PM

    Hey Ravi please don't insult the blind they have more vision than this man.

    TWO NEGATIVES MAKE A POSITIVE Monday, 07 August 2017 06:14 AM

    " Govt would not protect thieves: PM ", However - if thieves are set to catch thieves - the by the law of mathematics - two negatives make a positive - AND by this law - the thieves will become Angels !

    PROCLAMATION Monday, 07 August 2017 06:18 AM

    " Govt would not protect thieves: PM ", Knowing by previous actions taken, it is hard (for us ) to digest this proclamation !

    Ronnie Bugger Monday, 07 August 2017 06:23 AM

    Mr. Prime Minister, you are all big talk about transparent investigation and not protecting thieves and so no. With your comment you have labled Ravii K as a thief. You are creating a smoke screen in advance to save your own skin in the near future. See what happened to Nawaz Sharif ?

    Premalal Monday, 07 August 2017 11:41 AM

    How can you have a "transparent" investigation when the accused has "no clothes on" in would be indecent.

    INDICATOR Monday, 07 August 2017 06:23 AM

    " Govt would not protect thieves: PM " - The voting in Parliament (on the no confidence motion) , will be clear indication in this regard .

    dev Monday, 07 August 2017 06:27 AM

    UNP top brass plan and execute this, part of the money went to their General election campaign, including to Anura Kumara to campaign against previous regime and spread lies. It is not a secret PM is making every effort to protect Mahendra and RK

    Sunil Monday, 07 August 2017 06:31 AM

    Glad to know that at least at this late hour you are trying to take some action. Evidence against this minister is mounting day by day. You have mentioned that had these type of incidents happened in the west the minister concerned would have resigned. I must remind you that you were the minister in charge of the central bank when these incidents occurred.As for the newspapers, they have a bounden duty to keep the people informed.

    Citizen Monday, 07 August 2017 06:50 AM

    The whole country knows how you tried to cover up the bond scam

    Premalal Monday, 07 August 2017 11:36 AM

    The only impediment to a corruption free Sir-Lanka is Ranil Wickremasinghe.

    AUSLANKA Monday, 07 August 2017 07:10 AM

    BLA BLA BLA....

    Haramanis Monday, 07 August 2017 07:49 AM

    Hon PM - Walk the Talk!!!

    Premalal Monday, 07 August 2017 11:38 AM

    Or resign and retire from politics, the country can not put up with you any more

    Sara Monday, 07 August 2017 08:03 AM

    Govt would not protect thieves: PM - We only appoint thieves to high posts.

    con.com Monday, 07 August 2017 08:10 AM

    Will there be a govt. left if u got rid of the thieves?

    heidi Monday, 07 August 2017 08:14 AM

    Came to catch Ali Baba and the forty thieves and ended up catching a '' Ali Hora'' !! What a joke, most of the crooks are still free.!

    Rodney Monday, 07 August 2017 08:56 AM

    Does not seem like it. Aiding and abetting theft too is an offence and the PM must wake up from his slumber. The patience of people is waning, and the people who voted for you are not there any more.

    Sunil Monday, 07 August 2017 08:58 AM

    The three right-royal robbers.

    sathees Monday, 07 August 2017 09:03 AM

    PM I hope your name is not following RK into commision.

    louis Monday, 07 August 2017 10:51 AM

    DO as you say, don't keep up this proclamation with no action.

    Eng.M.V.R.Perera Monday, 07 August 2017 02:38 PM

    The P M is right let the legal authorities decide who are guilty not the media

    sunil Monday, 07 August 2017 03:48 PM

    We have the best prime minister in decades. Nobody can replace him in the near future due to his education, experience, intelligence and decent background

    Haramanis Monday, 07 August 2017 06:57 PM

    Ha Ha! - let the record speak for itself

    Citizen Monday, 07 August 2017 09:37 PM

    He has failed the country in the past and in the present

    yakshadeva Thursday, 10 August 2017 08:30 AM

    amu kevilada?.

    Ceylonese Monday, 07 August 2017 06:02 PM

    Then why are you shielding the murderers and thieves of the Rajapakse Government who killed journalists and plundered the country without taking any action for so long? You have been a total disaster as the Prime Minister of the country. The Ministers in your Government are only exploiting your weaknesses.

    Harry Tuesday, 08 August 2017 07:24 AM

    How can one do it, still Batalanda blood is warm!

    ceylon Monday, 07 August 2017 07:29 PM

    why these politicians who has responsible job with powers just say in stages without do the job .to whom they say .why they say . via DM Android App

    Saraa Goyya Monday, 07 August 2017 08:56 PM

    Any "transparent investigation" would expose your connection to the bond scam as you are responsible for appointing Mahendran as CB governor. Ravi K. only exploited your connection to his advantage.

    Nimal Tuesday, 08 August 2017 11:09 AM

    Not only is it protecting thieves, it is promoting them.

    Magic Mirror Tuesday, 08 August 2017 11:37 AM

    Let the Present Foreign Minister be out from his function till the inquiry is over and decision is taken. If he has done wrong,then how can the government can answer,how he functioned as a Minister.As usual if any wrong doers caught till the case is over he will be under Police custody or given bail out.

    Stanley Isaac Tuesday, 08 August 2017 06:58 PM

    The law should be equal to everybody, even if he is a Minister or a public.

    yaksha deva Thursday, 10 August 2017 08:28 AM

    P.M should by himself a British mirror - hard to find these days?. all British mirrors are made by "cheenu " in China ?. then might use a Prakaran "suraya "?. Ms. balsigham may have those TonY Bliar will deliver that to cambridge place?.

    Steve Thursday, 10 August 2017 04:25 PM

    What a pity. Thief is now caught by gang of thieves that are well looked after. Wonder why they do not catch you?


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