UNP says prepared to amend laws to recover losses

31 October 2016 04:37 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Government is prepared to amend the existing laws to enable the recovery of losses incurred in the controversial sale of Central Bank bonds, UNP Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne said today.

He told a news conference held at Sirikotha that new legislation would be introduced in case the existing laws do not have provisions to recover the losses incurred.

The deputy minister said JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti who heads the parliamentary Committee on Public enterprises (COPE) could refer the bond scam to the CID, FCID or the Bribery commission.

“We will support him on this matter," he said adding that further investigations might reveal how Perpetual Treasuries had carried out its activities.

Responding to a statement by former COPE chairman DEW Gunasekara that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is also responsible for the scam, the deputy minister said the Prime Minister was in no way responsible for the acts of Central Bank's former Governor Arjun Mahendran though he had appointed him to the post.

“If a person appointed to any post by a superior is engaged in stealing coconuts can you blame the superior for that," he asked and added that the Prime Minister had only requested the Central Bank to find an effective way to generate funds for the government and had not advised the ex-governor on the sale of CB bonds.

The deputy minister said the footnotes in the COPE report on the bond scam only referred to the fundamentals of the bond issue and had nothing to do with the transaction in question. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 12

K shantha Monday, 31 October 2016 05:10 PM

Recovering losses is one thing .how about aiding and abating. DON'T forget this is the biggest white collar crime in srilanka history

buwa Monday, 31 October 2016 05:11 PM

In that case MR should hold responsibility for all what his Ministers have done joke via DM Android App

stardust Monday, 31 October 2016 05:26 PM

stealing coconuts....good joke !

lalu Monday, 31 October 2016 05:40 PM

Coconuts or marbles a theft is a theft. prove your integrityby recovering the losses. Finance Minister has already put the burden on the public.

muon Monday, 31 October 2016 05:40 PM

these politicians always say the present laws are not enough we have been hearing this from long time whenever they get the power via DM Android App

Mason Monday, 31 October 2016 07:48 PM

What do you mean by being PREPARED to amend laws. Go ahead, do it pronto and avoid taxing people more and more to make up the loses and providing for the lavish lifestyle of the Parliamentarians.

Rama Monday, 31 October 2016 07:52 PM

What did the PM say . He takes full responsibility . If I am not mistaken he said it in parliament . I voted for you . You are the same as the previous lot . On MTV you said there was no scam !!! Now what .

Jagath Leanage Tuesday, 01 November 2016 08:26 AM

UNP says they are the experts in economy . So before doing this bond scam , why didnt they allowed to happen this?

Premalal Tuesday, 01 November 2016 08:27 AM

People expected so much from you because you were different to others. But we are dissapointed that you hold your party more important than the people you are supposed to serve.

Jude Tuesday, 01 November 2016 09:44 AM

Hey, You got the Talk to Talk then you must Walk the Walk !!!

Sunil Tuesday, 01 November 2016 10:17 AM

This crime cannot be compared to stealing coconuts. The government should act strongly and quickly. The silence of the HE the President and PM on this matter is deafening. By their actions, these UNP politicos are showing us what they really meant by "good governance".

Kaboos Tuesday, 01 November 2016 11:49 AM

Eran you are in dark.

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UNP says prepared to amend laws to recover losses

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