By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): If those accused of large-scale corruption such as bond scam, construction of expressways, construction of a bungalow in Malwana are guilty, Krish deal etc they should be punished or if they are not guilty of such dealings government should declare that they are not guilty without tarnishing the images of such people said SJB M.P. Eran Wickramarathne.
Addressing the press at the Office of the Leader of Opposition Sunday he further said that during the last general elections, the SLPP led by Rajapaksas made accusation against the present President Ranil Wckremesinghe on bond scam as the government at that time was led by UNP led Ranil Wickremesinghe
The main promise of the Rajapaksa government during the last general election was to bring to the book, the central bank bond scammers. Rajapaksas went around the country and said that the country lost billions of rupees due to the bond scam by a United National National Party led government.
“The government should prosecute such accused or else the government should declare that they are innocent of such accusations without adding black marks to them.”said Eran
The J.V.P. has filed corruption cases againts SLPP Parliamentarian on the Krish project deal which is being built in Colombo Fort. Another corruption deal called Hello-Coast was also announced. Also, there was a case with a big hullabaloo about a bungalow in Malwana by a member of Rajapaksa family.
A lot of corruption allegations were made on the awarding of the contract for the construction of Expressways. Allowing time to pass these as mere accusations lead to loss of people’s trust in the government. If those who have been accused of corruption and theft are not found guilty of those crimes, they should be exonerated and set free without further damaging their image.
With regard to the anti -Corruption Bill presented to Parliament, when the bill was questioned by the Supreme Court, it was declared that 24 sections of it should be amended. It has to be asked whether this piece of legislation was drafted by the officials of the Legal Draftsmen dept who usually prepare the bills. Marine pollution was heavily caused bt the Express Pearl disaster. The Minister of Justice stated that 250 million dollars was paid to a person to suppress the Express Pearl case. The government has not taken any action regarding such accusations, even if the new Anti-Corruption act is passed, there will be reasonable doubt whether the government will take measures to combat corruption in the country. Government brings this act to fulfill the promises given to IMF when it entered in to an agreement to obtain EFF loan from them. Declared Eran Wickramaratne.
