Attention of His Excellency, Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka,
the Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
and Members of the Cabinet.

Your Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, the Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, Members of the Cabinet and Party Leaders,

The annexed article by the veteran journalist H.L.D. Mahindapala shows that contrary to the declared policies of good governance which the new government assured the people, the government has embarked on a political witch hunt via the newly established Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) which operates outside the administrative control of the Inspector General of Police.  It appears that the Honourable Prime Minister gives directions to the FCID based on complaints channeled through the National Executive Committee.

I have strongly protested to the previous government when the law was unevenly applied based on partisan politics and other ties.  In the case of the operations of the FCID, I am left with
no other choice but to strongly protest and condemn the political interference in the investigation work being carried out by this special unit established by the publication of regulations in a Gazette dated February 13, 2015.

While the announced intention was to establish independent Commissions to manage the affairs of the Police Department amongst other key areas such as the judiciary, elections,  and such other, it was never the intention to have politicians to directly handle police matters.  The politicians should immediately divest control over the FCID and not play any direct role in the day to day management of the unit which rightfully should come under the purview of the Inspector General of Police.  Please take immediate steps to transfer the administration of the FCID to the
statutory head who is the Inspector General of Police.

I should add that the Rupees Ten Billion Bond issue recently handled by the Central Bank has left a very bad taste as the inquiry panel appears to have acted more like a ‘cover up act’ where several irregularities were brushed aside leaving the reputation of the country to be badly damaged and the general public compelled to carry an unnecessary burden of higher interest payments over a thirty year term, while the officials involved were cleared of any wrongdoing.  The people cannot be fooled, and such foolhardiness will cost the government greatly in the  trust and opinion extended by the public.

Yours sincerely,

Mahinda Gunasekera