MR should have order probe then not me: Talatha

3 September 2017 08:01 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Justice and Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorale said ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa had a responsibility to order an inquiry into the untimely death of her brother, UNP's former general secretary Gamini Athukorale in 2002, if he had any suspicions about it.

Responding to journalists on the remarks made by Mr. Rajapaksa that the new Justice Minister, should order a probe into her brother’s death, Minister Athukorale said she did not have any doubt on the circumstances that led to her brother's death.

She said this after visiting the Ramanna Nikaya Mahanayake the most Ven. Napane Vijithasiri Mahanayaka Thera.

The new Justice Minister said a canard on the sudden death of her brother was spread at the time with the intention of tarnishing the image of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who was planning to contest the 2005 presidential election.

She said she was well aware of the secret deals Mr. Atukorale had with Mr. Rajapaksa before his sudden death from a heart attack on January 2, 2002 and added that it was weird and bizarre as to why he suggested that she should initiate a probe into the death of her brother after 10 years.

Mr. Atukorale who was also the deputy leader of the UNP was appointed the Minister of Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation after the UNP won the parliamentary elections held on December 5, 2001. He died of a heart attack at the age of 51, serving only a month as a cabinet minister.

“As the younger sister of my brother, I was well aware of the covert alliances my brother had with Mr. Rajapaksa and President Chandrika Kumaratunga. If Mr. Rajapaksa had a slightest doubt on the death of my brother he could have ordered a probe after becoming the President in 2005. He is suggesting that I must hold an inquiry with ulterior motives and with malice,” the minister said.

On the comments made by former justice minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe that he was removed from Cabinet for refusing to influence the Attorney General’s Department, the minister said there was a time the AG’s Department was blatantly influenced by Mr. Rajapaksa.

"Mr. Rajapaksa taking over the AG’s Department was undemocratic, unfair and affected the independence of that department. It was under the Rajapaksa rule that a highly independent and unbiased Chief Justice was summarily sent home in 28 hours. Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who led the war against the LTTE was arrested illegally and sent to the prison after a sham Court Martial," she said.

The minister assured that under the 'yahapalanaya government' the judicial independence and the independence of the AG’s Department would be upheld and protected. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

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Comments - 19

AjithZ Sunday, 03 September 2017 08:16 PM

Very good answer. He is desperate to create trouble within UNP and SLFP. I think the best he can do is to join the SLFP fold like a gentleman and strengthen the party.

Suminda Sunday, 03 September 2017 08:43 PM

Better late than never. MR must have come across some info recently.

ANTON Sunday, 03 September 2017 08:48 PM

THESE DAYS MR IS TRYING TO PLAY DEFENSIVE STROKES TO GUARD THE WICKET.

Bubble Banda Monday, 04 September 2017 10:05 AM

He should not even to be kept in the reserve.

ceylon Sunday, 03 September 2017 08:53 PM

why athukorale.what about ekneligodalasanthathajudeen and so many misterious murders and disappearencess . via DM Android App

ceylon Sunday, 03 September 2017 10:27 PM

dear new justice minister you also seems same like deal dasa.took many days to come to office.still traveling here and there to meet people not related to.your job. via DM Android App

Narayana Sunday, 03 September 2017 11:06 PM

Well said!

Steve Sunday, 03 September 2017 11:32 PM

No wonder he seem to have lot of piles.

GH Monday, 04 September 2017 01:03 AM

Hah...Hah....Hah..... Hon'ble Justice Minister, You have learned the Political tactics, bashing MR! so, undoubtedly, you won't be kicked out of power for any reason.

Ram Monday, 04 September 2017 02:53 AM

The slow pace at which the corruption investigations proceed is questionable. Release some HC Judges and have two Trial at Bar Benches to expedite the pending cases and have them heard day to day

sathees Monday, 04 September 2017 03:25 AM

Dear Justice Minister, Do not get distracted by these noise. Just get the job done!

Mevan Monday, 04 September 2017 05:42 AM

Well said Madam Minister.

ANTON Monday, 04 September 2017 06:28 AM

I THINK MR MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT HE WAS THE PRESIDENT THEN.

cnj Monday, 04 September 2017 06:40 AM

Another instance were MR has political memory loss!

ANTON Monday, 04 September 2017 07:35 AM

MADAM ..... PLEASE SEND ONE OF CORRUPTIVE BIG SHOTS TO THE JAIL. THAT WOULD BE A BEGINNING OF BETTER SRILANKA.

S.T.M. Jabeer (Attorney-at-Law) Monday, 04 September 2017 10:16 AM

Madam Thalatha, you know pretty well how Mahinda dealt with Chief Justice S. Bandaranayake and Field Marshall SF, for that with proof - Namal, Basil and Gotta should be dealt with for their wrong doings.

Kiris Baba Amaray Monday, 04 September 2017 10:18 AM

To see, your brother's death is in question? Mahinda is responsible for it... you felt it madam.

Nana Monday, 04 September 2017 02:15 PM

He would have ordered if he could make a deal out of it..

yosuf Monday, 04 September 2017 06:06 PM

Dear MinisterGet on with your job . Ignore all those who try to distract you.We the public await Justice in all front. You are capable and put things right as soon as possible. Good luck

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MR should have order probe then not me: Talatha

Comments - 19

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