Govt doesn’t wish to challenge cope report
Responding to queries raised by Opposition members during the Adjournment Motion on the COPE report on the Treasury bond scam, the Government legislators categorically stated that the Government has no intention whatsoever to sweep it under the carpet, and added that the Government is bound to implement whatever recommendations suggested by the Attorney General after perusing the COPE report. They said, they only want to ensure there is transparency and nothing to hide. Some Opposition members who aired their views commended the decision taken by President Maithripala Sirisena for appointing a Presidential Commission to look into this matter.
Moving the adjournment motion, the Chief Opposition Whip, Anura Kumara Dissanayake told the House that Perpetual Treasuries Limited had recorded an excessive profit of more than Rs 13 billion during the 21 months from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. Dissanayake pointed out that Perpetual Treasuries had purchased bonds worth Rs 227 billion during the 14 months from February 28, 2015 to May 31, 2016. Of that, Rs 141 billion worth bonds had been purchased directly, while Rs 86 billion worth bonds had been purchased through other institutions, such as, state banks. The MP in his elaborate speech briefed the House on the assets of Perpetual Treasuries, which grew by 1853 per cent during the last two years, whereas, asset growth of other primary dealers had been only 31 percent. He queried as to how a company which has only 14 staff earned such undue profits and added that the loss suffered from the bond scam on February 27, 2015 alone is Rs 1,674 million. MP Dissanayake alleged, that the Government is hesitant to take any action against the culprits involved in the scam. MP Dissanayake urged Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to directly involve in this decisive matter and order legal proceedings against the perpetrators while overseeing the process.
However, the Government legislators who responded to the queries raised by both, the JVP and the Joint Opposition members told them, it was the first time that an Opposition MP was appointed as Chairman of the COPE by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. They pointed out, despite their agitation for the COPE chairmanship when they were in the Opposition, their requests were completely turned down by the former Government. The Government members attempted to convince the House that the idea of giving the chairmanship to an Opposition member shows the transparency of the Government and ensures that it doesn’t wish to interfere with the decisions taken by the Parliament watchdog committee, COPE.
Leader of the House and Higher Education and Highways Minister, Lakshman Kiriella who joined the debate said, he fully admits that perpetrators should be brought to book, but Parliament doesn’t have power to do that and it is a matter for the judiciary. The Minister also drew the attention of the House on the nearly 40 COPE reports which were swept under the carpet during the regime of the former Government, from 2005 to 2015. The Minister charged that none of those COPE reports were sent to the Attorney General.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan made the point that frauds and corruption are rampant in the country and this situation is not healthy for democracy. Although two years have lapsed since the incumbent Government came to power, none of those accused of corruption in the previous regime have been punished. He said, various wrongdoings are taking place under the incumbent Government as well, but the culprits go scot-free. Therefore, the rule of law should be upheld. The Opposition Leader said, the Central Bank is loosing its prestige and legitimate role due to this incident. The country should know the truth about this transaction and those responsible should be brought to book.
Expressing the view of the SLFP Ministers in the National Unity Government, Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told the House that they fully agree with the findings of the COPE, and do not challenge the contents of the report. The Minister said, some officials of the Central Bank have been accused of working against the interests of the country, by the COPE report. The SLFP maintains the position that anybody found guilty on the Treasury bond sale, should be punished irrespective of their positions. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said, President Maithripala Sirisena is looking at the possibility of the Government acquiring the assets and funds of Perpetual Treasuries if the company is found guilty of causing a loss to the Government through the Central Bank bond scam.
The following day, the Speaker informed the House that he would send the COPE report on the Central Bank bond scam with the approval of the House, to the Attorney General for further action. Both, Government and Opposition MPs welcomed the decision of the Speaker.
A tense situation erupted in the well of the House when UPFA Colombo District MP Wimal Weerawansa commenced his speech during the Adjournment debate on the Treasury bond scam. The Government members continuously interrupted the MP’s speech. MP Weerawansa who is in remand custody arrived in Parliament on Tuesday (January 24) accompanied by prison guards. The MP in his aggressive form of speech said, he was not disheartened by the suppressible efforts of the Government and would continue his struggle to send it home. Weerawansa said, the Government could put him in hundreds of prisons, but he is determined not to bow down to suppression.
UNP Kurunegala District MP Nalin Bandara who joined the debate launched a verbal blow against MP Weerawansa. He alleged that those found guilty and imprisoned are pasting posters to become heroes and patriots. It led the JO members to continuously interrupt the MP’s speech. At times, MP Bandara was seen resorting to unparliamentary language which led the Speaker to warn him not to use such abusive language against a Member of Parliament.
Another highlight of the week was Puttalam District UPFA MP Piyankara Jayaratne who recently resigned from the post of State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, and sat with the Opposition in Parliament on Tuesday (January 24). Several minutes after the House resumed sittings, MP Jayaratne arrived in the chamber from the entrance allocated for the Opposition MPs and took a seat in the second row of the opposition ranks, while the JO MPs clapped and thumped on their desks to welcome him. Some members even came up to the MP to congratulate him. JHU Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana thera who recently announced that he would act as an independent MP in Parliament was seen sitting in his usual seat in the front row, of the Government side.
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament that legal action should be taken against the Auditor General and his officials for not complying with the Ministry’s request to provide a sensitive report pertaining to the Treasury bond scandal, but providing it to another party. The Minister said the Auditor General had not provided him with the report, but given it to JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake, thereby, breaching his privileges. Minister Karunanayake said, MP Ratnayake on Tuesday said in Parliament that the Auditor General had given him the report. The investigations with regard to this issue is still in progress. The Minister alleged, this action has amounted to a breach of his privileges.