Science, Technology and Research State Minister Lakshman Seneviratne said it was due to the intervention of President Maithripala Sirisena that many fraudulent and corrupt practices were exposed to society.
“We all must appreciate his great effort,” he added.
“However, we believe that all the Bond deals made during the former regime should also be investigated as some information with regard to the direct involvement of certain members of the previous government has already been revealed,” Seneviratne said.
State Minister Seneviratne said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has set an example to others by appearing before the Presidential Commissions investigating the Bond issue. We must appreciate the Prime Minister’s actions.
“When Former Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendran was questioned by the COPE, it was proved that there was a bond issue,” State Minister Seneviratne said.
“The COPE report also stated clearly that there was a irregularity in the Bond deal. It was the appeal by COPE members and the public that President Maithripala Sirisena appointed the Presidential Commission to probe Central Bank Bond issue,” he said.
“However,if the MPs in the COPE have spoken to officials of Perpetual Treasuries, while the COPE proceedings were on, it is a very serious matter.These members should be ashamed of being Members of Parliament,” the State Minister added.
Commenting on the Local Government election, the State Minister said since the united approach by both factions of the SLFP will result in a SLFP victory at the forthcoming Local Government polls, certain elements want to sabotage that paving the way for a UNP victory,” Seneviratne said.
“The SLFP was of the view of that the Local Government election should be held. We have already selected the best candidates throughout the country who can give strong leadership to develop their villages.
“If the SLFP is divided, it will destroy the party. That has been proven through past experiences. When we are divided, we end up in the Opposition for many years. The UNP suffered the same for 20 years,” he said.
“If both SLFP factions stay united, our victory is guaranteed. Otherwise, we will end up as the losers at the forthcoming election causing much disappointment to our supporters. If former President Mahinda Rajapaksa insists on contesting from the Pohottuwa,” he will have to bear the responsibility for the SLFP’s defeat.