I refused a bribe of Rs. 300 m - Rajitha

14 May 2015 05:05 pm - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne alleged yesterday that a respondent involved in the controversial Avant – Garde case had offered him a bribe of Rs. 40 million to remain silent on the issue for just two weeks and that another person had offered him a bribe of Rs. 300 million.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department, Dr. Senaratne said bribe was offered by a venture that earned Rs. 450 million a month.

“This is the type of inducement offered to us by various unscrupulous elements to catch us. But we have never succumbed to them. Several of my friends told me I was the only person who did not fall for these carrots. If I had accepted, I could have lived in super luxury in the rest of my life. But I value my self respect and dignity more than these inducements,” he said.

A journalist: How are you going to prove that there was actually an offer of a huge bribe made to you?

Dr. Senaratne: “I have a recording of the telephone conversation concerning the bribe.

A journalist: Then why did you not lodge a complaint with the Bribery Commission, as offering a bribe is a criminal offence?

Dr. Senaratne: I couldn’t do that; because if I did, a good friend of mine would have been in trouble -- as it was he who had introduced this man to me. But he has assured to me that if something went wrong or if they tried to put me in trouble he would come forward on my behalf and produce the evidence.

Journalist: Where are those ethanol and drug kingpins that the team of the Common Opposition candidate boasted of bringing to book soon after their election
victory?

Dr. Senaratne: It is a concern for me too. You know, the method by which inquiries are made about them is slow and lethargic. Though the government has changed, the system remains intact. That is the problem. I must not tell you how Colombo Stock Exchange, casino and ethanol money worked during the presidential poll.

Journalist: The Supreme Court has stayed the anticipated arrest of former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa by any law enforcement officer. What do you have to say about this ruling?
Dr. Senaratne: An excellent example of good governance and of the independence of the judiciary. The judges do not get telephone calls and midnight visits by armed personnel when a case against the government or government politicians is being heard.

You must be careful how you enjoy the benefits of good governance. I agree that it takes time to adapt to the formalities under good governance. But you must be very cautious and vigilant when you live under good governance after going through oppressive tyranny.

I must recall that when parliament was opened to the public in 1956, a person who visited parliament sat on the chair of the Speaker.

The then prime minister who was beaten under the wave of Pancha Maha Balavegaya aptly said ‘The bitch went to the moon and the country went to the dogs’ to describe the transformation.

Journalist: Are you unhappy about the developments?

Dr. Senaratne: No I feel sorry. It seems the people and the officials do not appreciate their new found freedom and the value to their life. It was I who fought against the oppressive and dictatorial acts and policies of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. If he accepted my advice he would have been president even today. He listened and accepted only the hosannas sung to him by swindlers and court jesters who knew that they would be paid better if they sang songs of praise to the ‘King’ and the king fell prey to them and perished.

Did any of the ministers who now go after Rajapaksa give any signal or warning or direct him on the right path? No. What they said was that it was because of Mahinda that the sun and moon rose and went down. It was because of Mahinda that the birds sang and flowers bloomed. Without him there would be no country, no nation and no future. Poor Mahinda fell for this and lost everything. I feel sorry for him because he has done much for this country despite his weaknesses and foolishness. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

Comments - 29

Lima Friday, 15 May 2015 09:51 AM

RAJITHA , WHAT ABOUT THE TWO JUDGES WHO GAVE VERDICT IN FAVOUR OF GOTA NOT TO ARREST , SEE LANKA E NEWS OF 14 MAY , THEY BOTH MET MR AND THE CLAN AT STONE AND STRING PREMISES ALONG WITH BROKER TIRAN AND JUDGES AGREED TO DO ALL SORTS OF THINGS NOT TO GET RAJAPAKSAS CONVICTED , THESE JUDGES PROMISED TO BRING TROUBLE TO CURRENT YAHAPALANAYA , READ LANKA E NEW , MOST DANGEROUS EPISODE GOING TO COME

saman_Oman Saturday, 16 May 2015 06:42 PM

Mr. Minister, If you are offered a bribe, you should go and complain it to the BC or police, Otherwise, you are an offender yourself. If you do not do it, the whole country will judge you as a bloody liar! A great boaster!! A good for nothing guy!!!

lesly Saturday, 16 May 2015 01:34 PM

ayi oba nikam sawuththuwenne.

truefacts4U Saturday, 16 May 2015 10:19 AM

Now here is an honest man !!! Recording an attempt bribery telephone call and NOT reporting to any enforcement agency ?? take a look at what you just said. I was introduced to this man by one of my good friends ??? a group of your friends who associated with corruption that is telling me you are also one of the same gang. A complete impostor now attempt to compliment the excellent governance of MS/RW to save his own skin. FCID/Court, please issue him the summons to release the telephone recordings and name of his good friend arrest them all with plenty evidence.

truefacts4U Saturday, 16 May 2015 10:04 AM

Lima, Relax ...... there are NO verdicts by anyone for current FR petition by GR. This is all temporary until the defendants would get sometime to respond to their allegations.

Michael pereira Saturday, 16 May 2015 04:18 AM

is it because you wanted 500 million... ? Are you insulting the intelligence of Sri Lankans Mr senaratne ?

lanka Saturday, 16 May 2015 03:53 AM

Whyis this honest person did not go to the BC?

Horri Jimonis Friday, 15 May 2015 04:41 PM

Gotta should be arrested for trying to bride Dr. Rajitha.

Bubble Banda Friday, 15 May 2015 04:38 PM

Gottabay is trapped now very badly, he is struggling to come out from Avan Garde Issue. No mercy should be shown, he should be arrested.

Desmond Jeromme Friday, 15 May 2015 04:36 PM

it is clear that Gotta was trying to buy Dr. Rajitha throwing Billions, it will never work - according to my knowledge, Doctor is one of the honest person whom we respect.

Sumudu Dhanapala Friday, 15 May 2015 04:31 PM

As an elected member of Parliament he should have reported this the moment it happened, as a public figure your actions need to be transparent and clear

Tilak Friday, 15 May 2015 04:16 PM

Excellent response

Mason Friday, 15 May 2015 10:26 AM

Your not wanting to divulge the source of the bribe amounts to your shielding criminals which is a punishable offence. Being a minister you should know to set a better example.

Danushka Friday, 15 May 2015 10:00 AM

Rajitha, the whole country knows that you have no dignity, how many times have you crossed over from 1 party to another? 1994, 2001, 2007, 2014

harith Friday, 15 May 2015 09:59 AM

FCID please question him as he does not have any right to protect anyone, even a friend of his. Without any fear he is telling in public that he is protecting a friend. The recording he has needs to be fully iinvestigated.

Push Friday, 15 May 2015 06:33 AM

All the culprits seem to be having some kind of protection from somewhere.

Samantha perera Friday, 15 May 2015 09:41 AM

This is a joke. Anyone can say he was offered a bribe. Even the President said so. If they cannot divulge the source it is a waste of journalist time talking to them. It should be a criminal offence to conceal evidence.

mohideen Friday, 15 May 2015 09:19 AM

Must always have "Kalyana-mithrayan". Of not what happened to Mahinda will happen!

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 15 May 2015 09:17 AM

So he is the only, repeat only, repeat again only politician who has not succumbed to bribes out of all the other politicians. Therefore, all the other politicians (other than Rajitha) have succumbed to bribes.

Joseph Friday, 15 May 2015 09:14 AM

So you did not go to the bribery commission because of your good friend. This is not acceptable, you as guilt as the person who offered you the bribe

Dilipa Friday, 15 May 2015 09:11 AM

Hear we go again.

DN Friday, 15 May 2015 09:10 AM

This is baila. The first thing you should have done is complained to Bribery Commission (not to get cheep political publicity. )

Mailmen Friday, 15 May 2015 09:06 AM

Rajitha do you take us for fools. via DM Android App

De silva Friday, 15 May 2015 09:08 AM

Well done Mr.Minister.Please do not let the YAHAPALANANA robbed by these failed politicians.

Nihal Amarasekera Friday, 15 May 2015 08:44 AM

Make a formal complain, this is your national duty, otherwise keep dumb.

Yahapala Friday, 15 May 2015 08:38 AM

This guy is a great lier of Yahapalanaya.

Thanga Friday, 15 May 2015 08:14 AM

The fact the wheels of government are turning slowly shows that good governance is working. This government cannot hold summary inqquiries and jail them or send them home.

Vijitha Friday, 15 May 2015 07:22 AM

Why did not Rajitha go to Bribery Commission? Taking bribes and not reporting who is offering bribes are both considered as crime.

kotiYaa Friday, 15 May 2015 07:03 AM

Thanks for the update Sir

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I refused a bribe of Rs. 300 m - Rajitha

Comments - 29

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