Courtesy The Island

November 9, 2017, 11:26 pm

Former Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, MP, PC has accused Convenor of National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya and his colleagues of shielding those who had perpetrated frauds and corruption following the change of government in January 2015.

In a hard hitting statement issued yesterday, MP Rajapakse has said that NMSJ under the leadership given by the chief incumbent of Kotte Naga Viharaya Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha had paved the way for the then SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena to be the common candidate at the presidential poll and the UNP to form government following 2015 Aug parliamentary polls.

Rajapakshe has alleged that though about 30 NGO activists led by Prof. Wijesooriya had followed Ven. Sobitha none of them could get 50 supporters each and they, too, knew the ground realities.

MP Rajapakse said that once the UNP had to send its members to Hyde Park after the NGO grouping couldn’t attract at least 3,00 persons for a much publicised gathering.

Commenting on allegations levelled against him by Prof. Wijesooriya in respect of him (Rajapakse) protecting corrupt elements of the previous administration following the 2015 presidential polls, Rajapakshe has said he explained his duties and responsibilities as the Justice Minister at a meeting attended by the President, the PM, Ministers and senior officials. MP Rajapakse said that except Prof. Wijesooriya and his followers, the rest realised the actual situation.

Alleging that Prof. Wijesooriya and his associates had submitted a list of persons to be arrested at that meeting, MP Rajapakse claimed that they lacked courage to take on the minister in charge of the police and law enforcement authorities for not acting at their behest.

MP Rajapakse alleged that Prof. Wijesooriya hadn’t taken up his challenge for a live debate on television on issues raised by him. Instead of accepting the challenge, Prof. Wijesooriya had sent me messages through several persons, including UNP National List MP Prof Arsu Marasinghe requesting me not push for debate on television.

Referring to the second death anniversary commemorative event of Ven Sobitha this week, MP Rajapakse alleged that Prof. Wijesooriya, in his address made an attempt to portray him as anti-corruption leader.

MP Rajapakse pointed out the failure on the part of Prof. Wijesooriya and his associates to take a genuine stand against those responsible for the Central Bank of Sri Lanka -Perpetual Treasuries bond scams as well as their silence over privatization of national assets, including Hambantota harbour, Mattala air port and Trincomalee oil tanks and smuggling of massive stocks of narcotics.

MP Rajapakse regretted President Maithripala Sirisena had lost his remaining credibility by endorsing Prof. Wijesooriya’s speech severely critical of the President himself.

MP Rajapakse said that Prof. Wijesooriya and his associates couldn’t even attend the commemorative event held at Kotte Naga Viharaya where former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Dinesh Gunawardena and Udaya Gammanpila were present. MP Rajapakse said that he was the only government representative at that event.

Prof. Wijesooriya and associates had to participate at an event organized at Ape Gama whereas the bona fide commemoration took place at Naga Viharaya with the participation of about 500 Buddhist monks, including Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri.

MP Rajapakse reiterated his challenge to Prof. Wijesooriya for a live television debate without further delay (SF)