AG to refer matter to PSC

Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera is expected to make a request to the Public Service Commission (PSC) next week to take disciplinary action against Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe over an alleged telephone conversation made with Avant Garde Owner Nissanka Senadhipathy after confirming the authenticity of it, sources at the AG’s Department said.

Sources said Ms. Wickramasinghe, the second in command at the AG’s Department, was expected to resign due to the situation prevailed in the aftermath of the phone conversation which was being circulated on social media platforms.

“In the event, she failed to resign, the AG is expected to make a complaint to the Public Service Commission,” they said.

Ms. Wickramasinghe served as the Director-General of the Bribery Commission from 2015 to 2016 and went back to the AG’s Department soon after. After a while of serving at the department, she tendered her resignation to the AG but withdrew it before the AG sent the letter to the Public Service Commission.

Sources said it was a serious matter for an AG’s Department official like Ms. Wickramasinghe to maintain a connection with someone like Mr. Senadhipathy who was accused of accepting a commission of Rs.35.5 million to operate a floating armoury in the seas of Sri Lanka.

Sources said acceptance of such a commission was an act of corruption according to the Bribery Act. (Manopriya Gunasekara)

The alleged telephone conversation between Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi and former Bribery Commission Chairperson Dilrukshi Dias Wickremasinghe was shared on social media by the former who is presently undergoing medical treatment in Singapore.

Mr Senadhipathi : Madam, jobs of some 4,000 people have been lost from this, they are helpless now

Ms. Wickramasinghe: I know, yes, I know…

Mr Senadhipathi : They have lost their homes and children lost schools, madam

Ms. Wickramasinghe : I never expected the business to fail because it was one of the best in the country. I know Nissanka, if I ever had the slightest knowledge…

Mr Senadhipathi : Yes, madam

Ms. Wickramasinghe : If I had the slightest of knowledge, that a thing like this will happen, I don’t know if you will believe me or not, I’ mean...

Mr Senadhipathi : Madam has sent two messages to me, I received them

Ms. Wickramasinghe : Had I known you’d lose your business, I would never have filed the case. It is because of this ‘Karumakkara’ politics. I read over 7,500 letters at your office. I have personally gone through each and every one of them. Therefore, I know how you looked after the families when they were on the ship. Other people just think, but I’m very saddened Nissanka. I was utterly disappointed. I would not have filed a case against Gotabaya Rajapaksa as well. I actually regret the entire thing. I know both how to break the law and make the law.