MR rebuts Samaraweera’s claim of amassing US$ 18bn
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that neither he, nor his wife, sons or brothers, have secret offshore accounts or illegal overseas investments in front companies.
Responding to the claim by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera that the Rajapaksa family has concealed US$ 18 billion in secret offshore accounts, the former President said that legal advice will be sought on the statement made by the Minister.Minister Samaraweera told a news conference in Colombo last week that information has been received from foreign intelligence agencies that Rajapaksa, his wife, sons and brothers had amassed a fortune of 18 billion US dollars concealed in secret offshore accounts and front companies overseas.
SLFP to challenge gazette notification that set up FCID
The SLFP yesterday said that it would take a legal action against the gazette notification which had set up the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) as it was instructed by a Ministerial Sub Committee (MSC) headed by Prime Minister on its final decisions against persons summoned before it.
Addressing a media conference at the SLFP headquarters, UPFA General Secretary and SLFP National Organiser Susil Premajayantha said that they were not against setting up of such a division. But, politicians must not be allowed to manipulate it, he said, noting that there five clauses in the gazette notification. The entire gazette was politicised due to the final one.
Fielding MR as PM candidate among five issues discussed
A crucial discussion between former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and incumbent Mathripala Sirisena yesterday on five issues including fielding former as the SLFP Prime Ministerial candidate at the forthcoming general election ended with both sides agreeing to refer them to the SLFP Central Committee for approval.
The discussion held at the President’s office in the Parliamentary Complex with the participation of several SLFP MPs assisting both parties had taken up the issue of dissolving local government bodies prior to the general election, contesting the next general election under the UPFA banner, nomination of candidates at the general election and putting an immediate end to political interference with investigations conducted by the police Financial Crimes Investigation Division, SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said.
SC holds Attanayake expulsion from UNP invalid
The Supreme Court yesterday declared that the expulsion of Parliamentarian Tissa Attanayake from the membership of the United National Party was invalid. The letter of expulsion conveyed to petitioner Attanayake was also declared invalid.
The Court said that no explanation had been called from Attanayake prior to the decision to expel him from the party and no proper inquiry held. There was no evidence to show that the matter had been placed before the Working Committee of the UNP. There had been an absolute violation of natural justice.
