Chamara Gunasekera sinks in mystery!

X-Press Pearl disaster

26 April 2023 08:24 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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*** Chamara Gunasekera's name did not find any link locally leading to conclusions that the entire scam may have allegedly been conducted with the blessings of those high in power at the time

*** Daily Mirror learns that the CID has already written a letter to the concerned bank in the UK to acquire more information

*** Under mysterious circumstances, the Daily Mirror learns that then Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage had instructed to release the wreck of the sunken X Press Pearl ship on orders by then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa's revelation in Parliament yesterday over one Chamara Gunasekera being the recipient of a US 250 million dollar bribe to bury the X Press Pearl compensation claim sent shockwaves amongst politicians and journalists who were hurrying to find who the name was connected to locally.

However, after intense investigations, the name did not find any link locally leading to conclusions that the entire scam may have allegedly been conducted with the blessings of those high in power at the time, for it to be covered up in such a manner. Sources linked to the matter also said that Chamara Gunasekera may have acted only as an agent to collect the bribe for it to be distributed to others who had given the green light to cover the entire compensation claim.

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa in Parliament said yesterday the recipient of the bribe was Chamara Gunasekera who received the monies in a UK account number 15479334.

The Minister later told Daily Mirror that he had revealed whatever information he had in Parliament and he had now handed over the investigation to the CID. The Daily Mirror learns that the CID has already written a letter to the concerned bank in the UK to acquire more information on the account holder.

However under mysterious circumstances, the Daily Mirror learns that then Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage had instructed to release the wreck of the sunken X Press Pearl ship on orders by then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The Daily Mirror learns that Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa contacted Gotabaya Rajapaksa to inquire about it and the former President had reportedly denied his hand in this regard.

At a SLPP Group meeting held on Monday, the SLPP MPs had questioned Foreign Minister Ali Sabry to divulge the truth behind the bribery allegations, claiming that such heavy allegations would hamper the name of the SLPP and its future campaigns. The SLPP MPs wanted answers from Sabry as he was the Justice Minister at the time the X Press Pearl tragedy occurred. Information had also leaked that the ship was released allegedly on orders of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the MPs wanted to know the truth. Sabry had responded saying that Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa would reveal all in Parliament on Tuesday and for the MPs to be patient.

With no notable local link, MPs who were questioned by the Daily Mirror last evening also raised queries if a Chamara Gunasekera actually exists or if it is a cover-up name. However all said they would await further details from the CID probe and the Justice Minister.

Meanwhile, Parliamentarian Chandima Weerakkody who now sits in the opposition in Parliament asked for a parliamentary select committee to probe the alleged US 250 million dollar bribe taken by an individual named David Chamara Gunasekara in London so that the truth could be revealed to the public. (Jamila Husain and Kelum Bandara)

Comments - 12

Robin Banks Wednesday, 26 April 2023 09:12 AM

Now do you understand why Gota was tripping over his wife to leave the country? Now do you understand why Mahinda hid in a navy bunker when he couldn't leave the country by air? Both are equally guilty of this grand fraud. The worst thing is the current president protecting these crooks. But then again birds of a feather....

Jagath Ekanayake Wednesday, 26 April 2023 09:14 AM

These dinosaur politicians are treating the people of this country like dummies. Specially deal dasa. All these need to be in prison. Only hope is JVP, otherwise they will keep on scamming us.

Tinpot president candidate his criminal masters. Wednesday, 26 April 2023 10:24 AM

The three main players involved in this henious crime are Gotabaya, Mahinda and Basil Rajapaksa. Obviously their children are beneficiaries too. That's the reason why all three were tripping over themselves and their wives to flee the country. These are the criminals the current president is protecting. Obviously the president is also a beneficiary of proceeds of this crime.

Patriotic Citizen Wednesday, 26 April 2023 10:32 AM

If Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa is acting toward the real interest of the Nation, there are priema facie documents to prove that Arjun Mahendran ROBBED the Millions of Millions from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka through a Bond Scam with the assistance of Ranil Wickremasinghe, therefore, bring that issue considering it as the foremost and recover the huge sum, while punishing the culprits involved giving the maximum sentence that the Judiciary determines appropriate. But, do not play POLITICS.

Ivo Jacob Wednesday, 26 April 2023 10:46 AM

Chamara Gunasekera is an obvious red herring. Before the cat was to come out of the bag the very politicians behind this oozing corrupted mess has created a straw man...the proverbial " if you can't beat them...join them!"

Rob Wednesday, 26 April 2023 03:50 PM

No point pointing the finger country have been

Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 26 April 2023 05:31 PM

Wijayadasa Rajapaksha waited for the election time to reveal this. Now there is a reasonable doubt about Rajapaksha family involvement in the scam. Ranil's strategy to win an election, they have no intention of recovering real damages from the insurance companies but just wants to inflict election damage to SLPP so UNP emerges as the winner.

Sel Wednesday, 26 April 2023 07:30 PM

Why not involve Scotland Yard to get to the bottom of this episode as a independent investigation and unfold the truth our authories could wipe it under the carpet

Volker Metzger Wednesday, 26 April 2023 08:17 PM

What emerges from this article can be described as a "bomb" in Sri Lankan politics!!! Every citizen now knows that corruption is an everyday phenomenon in this country! The decline of the country is largely due to the pronounced corruption and bribery that can be described as inherent in the system! However, the article with the mysterious figure of Mr. Gunasekera points to an escalation of these crimes by the political elite, which will soon be standing for election again! The people of Sri Lanka will give you their answer! Let's wait for the research results of the investigations that have been initiated, but one thing is already certain: only a radical cure of the state structure and the ruling class will help the country and the people!

Pearlbarber Wednesday, 26 April 2023 10:18 PM

We may be able to guess, this issue of X Press Pearl will once again strengthen the SLPP's vote banks. Wijedasa will end up in failure in proving the fabricated incidents.

Zaza Thursday, 27 April 2023 11:55 PM

Whether the tale is fabricated or not, it speaks volumes about the political system we have. It is the system that provided room for all these heinous crimes to get away from. For the last 20 years, we could not bring any of these criminals to book. LTTE gold pickers, Bank Busters, Penthouse owners, Bribe Takers, Malwana Mansion owners, art collectors, luxury hotel owners, Sathosa swindlers, and the rest are waltzing their ways gleefully.

ANNECUNT Thursday, 04 May 2023 01:04 AM

when mr mahinda was at school his father mr d.a rajapaksa encourage him and gota to steal little things like pencils and pens at school

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Chamara Gunasekera sinks in mystery!

X-Press Pearl disaster

Comments - 12

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