Joint opposition ask IMF to look into scams and corruption in Sri Lanka

By Yohan Perera   

The leaders of political parties in the joint opposition yesterday met officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Colombo and urged them to look into the $ 2.5 million heist and other scams.  Convener of the Joint Opposition Professor G. L. Peiris told journalists that they provided a detailed background of the scams such as purchasing fuel at an exorbitant price of $ 286 a barrel at the time global prices were fluctuating at $ 135 to 150. He said they also focused on the inferior quality coal scam which has resulted in forcing the government to spend extra funds to purchase diesel to generate power. Professor Peiris said the IMF should monitor these developments in Sri Lanka.   

Leaders of political parties who met with IMF officials included former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Leader of the United Republic Front Patali Champika Ranwaka, Asanka Nawaratne of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (SLMP), MP Rohitha Abeygunawardene, Peshala Serasinghe of Lanka Sama Samaja Party(LSSP), M. R. M. Fizel of Muslim Left Front, Sugeshwara Bandara of Nawa Janatha Peramuna, Noel Wijetunga of DUA, Shirraz Yoonus of Nawa Sri Lanka Nidahas Pakshaya and Inoka Harischandra of PUNP.