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President hits out

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12 October 2016 11:15 pm - 24     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena expressed his extreme displeasure and disgust today at the dragging to court of the former defence secretary and three former commanders of the Navy, in a case filed by the Bribery Commission.

He said lawyers who appeared in the case had alleged that he was behind these actions. He said he did not know about them until later.

“I knew only that morning that there was such a case,” he said.

“There are objectives and a policy in establishing independent commissions. Those who are in these commissions should know their subject areas. Those who are not aware of national security, military administration and management are taking various wrong decisions without thinking,” he said.

President Sirisena said the top officials of the respective institutions had a right and a responsibility to inform him and the Defence Minister of these matters.

“Some people may say that it should not be so as these are independent commissions. Even though commissioners were appointed by the constitutional council, it is I, the President, who appoint the Chairman and the Director General of these commissions,” he said.

He expressed these views at a function, “Sathviru Urumaya” held at the Foundation Institute to hand over the deeds of houses and lands to military officers.

He said if there was an issue with regard to the Defence Ministry and Avant Garde, there were a procedure and methodology to investigate it.

He said some people, including former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, took political advantage when they were taken to court.

“I was not elected President to intervene in judicial matters or influence independent commissions or pressure the Attorney General to release rapists. I was elected to carry out political reforms and uphold democracy, judicial independence and law and order. I will not surrender to anyone when meeting my responsibilities. I will not act to weaken the security forces nor allow others to do so,” he said.

Commenting on the remanding of some army intelligence officers in the Ekneligoda case, he said he had advised the relevant officials to take action against them if they had done wrong, grant them bail and hear the case -- or release them if they were not guilty.

“I did not talk about these matters in public earlier, but I have to do so now and take action,” he said.

He said that he had raised the matter at a special meeting with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and pointed out that he would have to take action if the CID, FCID and Bribery Commission were acting according to some political agenda.

“These institutions cannot function according to a political agenda. The law should be the same for everyone. People allege that I was behind these things. I do not want to remand or imprison anyone. I want to tell you this today, if not I will be blamed,” he said.

He said his government had been able to mitigate the allegations of human rights violations and settle proposals for hybrid courts and international judges.

He said that, despite this, some were accusing him of betraying and weakening the security forces and destroying the country for his political advantage.

“Anyone can come and discuss these matters with me, “he said. (Ajith Siriwardana)


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  Comments - 24

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  • srian Thursday, 13 October 2016 10:12 AM

    Consequences of the Ratnapura rally?

    M.M.M.Izzeth Tuesday, 18 October 2016 05:52 AM

    Till they come to paver they take for us,he is no different.

    WALKIE TALKIE Thursday, 13 October 2016 04:18 PM

    THE TRUE COLOUR OF YAHAPALANAYA HAS COME TO LIGHT. via DM Android App

    BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 13 October 2016 11:20 AM

    Absolutely correct.

    Hubert Thursday, 13 October 2016 11:05 AM

    Hard feelings are personal and should not be uttered in public. There are no super men in Sri Lanka Ranaviruwa is the worst thing entered to our lives after the war advocated by MR. War hero war is a primitive thing in the civilized world

    MK Thursday, 13 October 2016 10:53 AM

    Then how about when the FCID is getting controlled by the UNP politicians?

    Kaboos Thursday, 13 October 2016 10:49 AM

    Dear Mr President lets the law take its own cause. We are quite happy with the independent commissions..

    malij Thursday, 13 October 2016 10:45 AM

    I am beginning to think I made the wrong decision when I voted for him. But again there was no other option and it is good that the country got rid of corrupt MR regime. It would be better if they make steps to abolish the executive presidency a.s.s.p. or MS should hand over the rains to someone who would not wilt under pressure.

    Bala Thursday, 13 October 2016 10:42 AM

    What is he implying - two sets of laws in the country. And he will decide who is to be charged - that itself is a political decision.

    Soma Thursday, 13 October 2016 10:23 AM

    The message is so loud and clear. No contradictions whatsoever in his utterances. I guess advising is not intervention. I guess the independent commission is independent despite he saying he appoints them. What has changed to warrant talking about it now and taking action. What action? What a statesman!!! I salute you YE.Thank you all for voting this great man as our President.

    linka Thursday, 13 October 2016 10:18 AM

    What does the President ,who was elected by the people to rectify the wrong things .interfere with investigations. The war heroes are above the law so that they can go scot--free. Very good thinking

    shantha gamlath Thursday, 13 October 2016 10:17 AM

    It,s seem like dilution of internal cohabitation already started ..

    Hadam Thursday, 13 October 2016 01:11 AM

    Thats how much his excellency pay attention to public affairs, knowing only in the morning.

    Reader Thursday, 13 October 2016 10:06 AM

    President has made a statement that appears as interference with independent commissions. Anyone irrespective of position should be called up if involved in any inquiry. Lawyer alleging that he is involved in these actions is not a matter for him to worry, tell the lawyers to prove it.

    BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 13 October 2016 10:01 AM

    No politician including the President should not get involved nor needs to be informed about action being taken against persons who have broken the law. Tomorrow, even if this President has done something wrong, he should be held responsible and punished for that activity and the President of that time need not know about that nor needs to interfere in that activity. That will be the day the citizens of this country will salute this country.

    Nalaka Thursday, 13 October 2016 09:36 AM

    The President or any other person for that matter should NOT get involved or make ANY statement regarding the Commissions. Let them be independent!!!

    xxxxxx Thursday, 13 October 2016 09:15 AM

    President knows in future election , his party will be at 3rd place. So he

    common sense Thursday, 13 October 2016 09:12 AM

    H.E. the President said "The law should be the same for everyone". That is why the relevant authority investigated certain activities and those high officials were indicted in courts. How could H.E. the President say that dragging to court of the former defense secretary and three former commanders of the Navy, in a case filed by the Bribery Commission. Is it dragging to the courts or indicting in the courts? Being a person who voted for H.E. the President, I am confused with this statement.

    ashydull Thursday, 13 October 2016 08:02 AM

    Why is The President getting involved in this matter? If there is a prima facie case against these individuals, whatever their positions were in whatever Government institution they represented during the corrupt regime of the Rajapakses and if there is enough evidence to name them as suspects, it is the duty of the relevant investigating arms to proceed with legal action.If the accused could prove otherwise so be it.The President should not get himself into muddy waters, and soil himself trying to protect corrupt officials of the past regime. He always says that he will not shield anyone with dirty hands, hence let The President stick to his words.This cannot be termed as a witch hunt as the people of this country knows what happened during the 9 years under the Rajapakses.

    TJP Thursday, 13 October 2016 07:53 AM

    Dear Mr. President, please allow the independent commissions to its work. Nobody should be above the law. This what we were promised by and expected from your Yahapalanaya government.

    lion Thursday, 13 October 2016 07:52 AM

    Dear President we have voted you for power to up held independent of judiciary, Police force, ect. In this attempt you should not think about any personality what ever his potion was. He may be a war hero but if he has done some thing wrong he should be punished even it may be former service chiefs or defense secretary. You know very well how they have behaved. They were the law of this country. We too have a confusion why the investigation are slow. Then in that case you have to fallow your predecessor, example is the case of Sarath Fonseka and Shirani Bandaranayaka.

    sobers Thursday, 13 October 2016 07:51 AM

    As things are this country might end up like Syria. Law should apply equal to everyone. No one is above law and Investigating officers should be clean and professionals not corrupt or politicaly motivated.

    shantha Thursday, 13 October 2016 02:01 AM

    In what other country would president need to be involved with independent policing and charging the filth?It never happens in civilized countries.

    Manel Thursday, 13 October 2016 01:19 AM

    Well said Mr. President .


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