How Rajapaksas misused super luxury CHOGM buses

Misuse of luxury buses by the Rajapaksa administration during the Commonwealth Heads of State meeting in Colombo in November 2013 has come under investigation by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The luxury buses had been acquired by MP Namal Rajapaksa, for Minister Sajin Vaas Gunawardena and the former Chief Minister of the Uva Province Sachinda Rajapaksa and given on lease by the Lanka Ashok Leyland Company.

As much as Rs.900,000 a month was paid for the buses and the Foreign Affairs Ministry had paid a whopping Rs.25 million and it is not known for what purpose the two buses were used.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera ordered the investigation after the two buses were brought and parked at the Ministry premises without anyone's knowledge.

Further inquiries will be conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department in consultation with the secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, a spokesman said.

A special feature of these two luxury buses is that they are highly advanced in transport and passenger comfort which other luxury buses don't have.

Below are pictures of former Uva Chief Minister Shashinda Rajapaksa travelling in one of the luxury buses.

 

Harin Likely To Be Uva Chief Minister

 
Opposition Leader of the Uva Provincial Council Harin Fernando today informed the Governor of the Province that he had secured the majority in the Council.

Fernando had informed that he had the support of 17 members in the Council apart from the two seats held by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.

Therefore the former Parliamentarian is likely to be appointed by the Governor as the new Chief Minister of the Uva Province.

Fernando managed to secure the majority when several members of the UPFA crossed over to the opposition following the swearing in of the new President over the weekend. The opposition leader only needed the support of three more members to secure the majority in the Council.

Shasheendra Rajapaksa, the nephew of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is presently the Chief Minister of the Uva Provincial Council.

An uncle MR’s present to a nephew Shashendra Rajapaksa

Shashendra Rajapaksa, the nephew of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and son of the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, has been given the opportunity of continuing as the Basnayake Nilame of Ruhunu Maha Katharagama Devalaya through an extra special gazette No. 1807/39 issued on 15th March without any election.

The gazette with the signature of Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne has exempted Ruhunu Katharagama Devale, in which Chief Minister for Uva PC Shashendra Rajapaksa is the Basnayake Nilame, from clause 12 (a) of Buddhist Viharas and Devalagam Temporalities Act which states that the period a person could hold the post of Basnayake Nilame could be extended only by two years.

According to Buddhist Viharas and Devalagam Temporalities Act A Basnayake Nilame could be in the post for five years since the day he is appointed and the President could extend his term for two years if he is found efficient.

The extended period of Mr. Shashendra Rajapaksa after his normal period of five years ended on 15th March. The Prime Minister has issued the aforementioned gazette when an election to the post was due. Shashendra Rajapaksa as the Basnayake Nilame of Ruhunu Maha Katharagama Devale was not eligible to hold the post of chief minister of Uva PC. However, through an extra special gazette of 1614/30 dated 14th August, 2009 President Mahinda Rajapaksa exempted him from clause 14 (a) and (b) of the Buddhist Viharas and Devalagam Temporalities Act. Ruhunu Maha Katharagama Devalaya is one the religious places in Sri Lanka that earns millions daily as contributions from devotees.