Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today has admitted that some of the activities carried out by the Anti-Corruption Secretariat, which was established with the approval of the National Executive Council during the period of good governance, were illegal.
The former Prime Minister made this admission testifying before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Political victimization.
Mr. Wickremesinghe appeared before the Commission today in connection with a complaint lodged by Dr. Nihal Jayatilleka, former Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Development.
The Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat was established in 2015 to observe the complaints received from the public on Corruption and fraud and to refer the true complaints to the Bribery Commission or to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of Police.
The Commission asked former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe under what law the National Executive Council was established. In response, Mr. Wickramasinghe said it was an institution not established under a law.
Mr. Wickremasinghe said that a committee consisting of representatives of various political parties, civil society organizations and trade unions that supported Maithripala Sirisena in the 2015 presidential election was formed and it was known as the National Executive Council.
He further said that a group including former President Maithripala Sirisena, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, former ministers Rajitha Senaratne, Patali Champika and TNA leader R. Sampanthan and he had functioned as members.
According to the evidence presented to the Presidential Commission, the National Executive Council appears to have acted above the Cabinet, the Commission’s Presiding Judge said. Mr. Wickremasinghe then stated that the Executive Council was not given any special powers over the Cabinet.
The Commission asked Mr. Wickremasinghe whether the suspects were being branded as criminals in the society by giving approval to the Cabinet to conduct raids, arrests, interrogations, prosecution and publication in mass media on the basis of information received by the Anti-Corruption Secretariat established by the Good Governance Government with the approval of the National Executive Council.
“Now look at what happened to me. I’m called a bond thief. The Bonds Commission and Parliament have said I have nothing to do. But the media gentlemen do not think so. This is normal when an accusation is leveled,” Mr. Wickramasinghe replied.
The Commission asked the former Prime Minister if he had ever been pressured by the Committee to take any action.
Replying to this Ranil Wickremesinghe stated “Eventually all those who said I had not caught a thief and left had left me. I am alone now.”
The Commission inquired as to whether certain complaints received by the Anti-Corruption Secretariat would be referred to the IGP and certain complaints would be forwarded directly to the DIG in charge of the Division.
The former Prime Minister stated that everything in the Anti-Corruption Secretariat was not implemented and that certain matters were illegal.
Then the Commission again inquired, as to whether the illegal activities had been approved by the Cabinet.
“We have instructed to do only what was right. We need to know what is not appropriate. The police were told to get advice from the Attorney general and take appropriate action,” Wickremesinghe stated.
The Commission inquired as to where the meetings of the Anti-Corruption Committee were held. Replying to this the former Prime Minister stated that an office was given at Temple Trees until a specific office was provided and a group including Anura Kumara Dissanayake participated in the meeting.
Also, a member of the anti-corruption committee, Attorney J.C. Weliamuna worked from the Presidential Secretariat, the former Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Presidential Commission asked Ranil Wickremesinghe if he was aware that the then Minister of External Affairs Mangala Samaraweera had signed the 30/1 resolution submitted by the United States alleging war crimes in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Wickremesinghe said that the entire cabinet including Mangala Samaraweera was aware of it. The Chairman of the Commission again inquired whether former President Maithripala Sirisena was also aware of this.
Replying to this Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the former President also knew about it. He also said that everyone in the government at the time approved of it.
Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared before the Commission at around 10.00 am today and left after giving evidence for nearly 5 hours.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
