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"I was removed to sweep bond scam under the carpet"

23 August 2017 03:03 pm - 22     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today he didn’t resign from any portfolio but was removed in an attempt to sweep the bond scam under the carpet.

He told the media outside the Justice Ministry that baseless charges had been made against him saying he had struck deals with former government members to delay court cases filed against them.

“This is an attempt to sweep the bond scam under the carpet by sacrificing me. In Sri Lanka's history, this is the first time a minister was accused of not influencing the judiciary and the Attorney General’s Department whereas former justice ministers had been accused of influencing the judiciary,” he said.

Mr. Rajapakshe said the AG had been summoned to Temple Trees last Tuesday and the UNP backbench MPs had criticized and ridiculed him.

“They have urged him to finish, within two weeks, the court cases filed against individuals named and selected by them,” he said and added that he was accused of breaching the collective responsibility of the Cabinet when he revealed that the agreement to handover Hambantota Port to China was against the Constitution.

He said according to Article 157 of the Constitution, a two-thirds majority was required Parliament to enter into an agreement like the one to handover the Hambantota Port.

“The Cabinet has collectively violated the Constitution by agreeing to the Hambantota deal. When I revealed this as a minister, then I was accused of breaching the collective responsibility of the Cabinet. Today, the agreement is only a paper which is legally null and void,” he said.

Mr. Rajapakshe said it was the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) which had the authority to handover operations of the port but not the port.

“There is a group of people who are angered by my revelation. On the other hand, according to my conscience there is nothing more shameful than staying in a Cabinet when the assets are being sold,” he said and added that the second reason behind his removal was the Central Bank bond scam.

“The CB bond scam is the biggest financial fraud ever committed in Sri Lanka since the days of King Pandukabhaya. With a presidential commission being appointed unexpectedly, the names of the big shots behind the scam are being revealed now. When the deals of the footnote gang which attempted to conceal the scam was revealed, people are afraid now. I maintained the independence of the AG’s Department. People accept the Bond Commission to recommend more action against more people. When the AG’s Department was continueing to function independently under me, those who are involved in the bond scam can’t go free. Therefore, they want to break the AG Department's spinal cord,” he said.

When asked about the Avant Garde issue, Mr. Rajapakshe said the former Attorney General had said no criminal case could be filed over the issue.

“If action is being taken against anyone, then the arrests should begin with the defence secretary because the navy still stores government weapons on an Avant Garde ship docked in the Red Sea. About 500 such weapons are stored there. Therefore, officials beginning with the current defence minister should be held responsible. No action can be taken against me,” he said.

Mr. Rajapakshe said a special presidential commission appointed to look into the issue had submitted its report to the President saying the Avant Garde issue was not illegal.

While saying he would reveal his political journey later, the former minister said, “I invite people to decide the fate of the government which feeds on national assets,”. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

 

Video by Sanjeewa


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  Comments - 22

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  • Lima Wednesday, 23 August 2017 07:54 PM

    WHAT EVER YOU TALK YOU ARE SEPENT UNDER THE CARPET , UNDERMINING THE GOVT WHILE BEING IN THE GOVT. WHAT A SHAME GUY YOU ARE. PROTECTING CRIMINALS AND ROBBERS WILL BE THE SAME PUNISHMENT METED OUT TO THE PERSON WHO PROTECTS THEM

    TJ Wednesday, 23 August 2017 07:59 PM

    The fact is that he was removed for influencing the judiciary to delay some cases.

    sach Friday, 25 August 2017 11:55 AM

    LOL..where is evidence for such a thing? Has not AG dept denied it?

    rew Wednesday, 30 August 2017 04:25 PM

    Should have been kicked out

    saman Wednesday, 23 August 2017 08:08 PM

    “This is an attempt to sweep the bond scam under the carpet by sacrificing me". What bullshit. You must be dreaming Wije.

    Bala Wednesday, 23 August 2017 08:09 PM

    But then the former AG was a MR fan. So former Attorney General had said no criminal case could be filed over the issue is meaningless and an attempt to distort. Shyster.

    M O Daya Wednesday, 23 August 2017 08:22 PM

    No, you were removed because you were sweeping your former bosses evils under the carpet!

    M.O.Daya Wednesday, 23 August 2017 08:29 PM

    “The CB bond scam is the biggest financial fraud ever committed in Sri Lanka since the days of King Pandukabhaya". Really? The corruption deals of the previous government can never be beaten for record, not until another "king" is restored by foolish voters.

    JUDGED HIMSELF ! Thursday, 24 August 2017 06:23 AM

    "I WAS REMOVED " That is what Wijedasa says with "pride" - . Does he know the meaning of remove in his case ? - The meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary is - " WORKPLACE to force someone to leave an important job or a position of power, usually because they have behaved badly, or in a way that you do not approve of " : -- Well , Well , Well - he has passed judgement on himself ! !

    Wise Donkey Thursday, 24 August 2017 06:24 AM

    You are a real liar, you tried to sweep under the carpet of all corrupt deals of Rajapakse family and this is the truth Mr. Dealdasa. Nobody believes you my dear 'cut-throat'.1

    malij Thursday, 24 August 2017 06:46 AM

    What is this man whining about? The President has appointed the commission to speed up the investigations on the bond scam. Same way, there is nothing wrong in speeding up cases already in courts. People want it and have voted for it. Justice delayed is justice lost. No one can deny the fact that the proceedings against the former guys have been drastically slowed down. For an example, the next hearing of one of the cases against a former very very big fish,is after one year. At this rate, none of the cases would not see the day light. This shameless guy is now saying "there is nothing more shameful than staying in a Cabinet when the assets are being sold,” But he did hanged on to his portfolio even after being told to resign and eventually got kicked out unceremoniously.

    raj Thursday, 24 August 2017 06:55 AM

    you have the right to express your opinion. at the same time, when you loose confidence of people who appointed or selected, you should have resigned immediately with explanation.

    Sydney Thursday, 24 August 2017 07:02 AM

    So Mr. Rajapakse, what was the big financial fraud committed during King Pandukabhaya's reign?Then we can compare.

    Nilanga De Silva Thursday, 24 August 2017 07:55 AM

    This guy is not suitable for any ministry. He should be just a MP until people kick him out.

    ahamed Thursday, 24 August 2017 08:41 AM

    These talks only after you loss your position, now anything can say to cover up the deals?

    Hubert Thursday, 24 August 2017 11:38 AM

    Tell King Pandukhbaya Bond Scam is not bigger as Avanguard racket

    gamini Thursday, 24 August 2017 01:48 PM

    if it is shameful to be in a cabinet that sells national assets why did you wait till you were kicked out and not resign on your own

    thilak Thursday, 24 August 2017 01:49 PM

    show me a govt. in this country that has not been selling national assets

    lakshman Friday, 25 August 2017 08:50 AM

    Please do not blame others for your own faults

    TV Friday, 25 August 2017 09:48 AM

    Good move. Now wipe out all the culprits once and for all.

    Dayan Friday, 25 August 2017 12:06 PM

    Legal Department under this guy is functioning without sufficient desks, chairs or spaces for legal professional and this 'Guy with a PHD' didn't bother to solve this minor issue and then talking about 'Efficiency on his part'..............Glad you gone and now you can function as a 'legal consultant' in Avant Guarde (your former client)

    caliph Wednesday, 30 August 2017 02:28 PM

    You were removed because you were sweeping Rajapakse family misdeeds.


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