Rajapaksa Fears Prosecution of Entire Family By new Government

Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday expressed fears that the new government led by his successor Maithripala Sirisena might end up prosecuting his entire family, a day after his two younger brothers faced questioning by anti-graft investigators.

“Next, it will be Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa and Yoshitha Rajapaksa”, the former President said.

Namal — a Parliamentarian — and Yoshitha are Rajapaksa’s sons while Gotabhaya is his younger brother.

Rajapaksa’s comments came after he visited his youngest brother Basil Rajapaksa at the national hospital where he is warded under remand custody.

Basil Rajapaksa, the economic development minister in his older brother’s nearly decade long rule, was arrested on Wednesday by the police’s Financial Crime Investigation Unit.

He was accused of misappropriating 77 million rupees of state funds meant for livelihood development.

Rajapaksa said his family was being hounded by the Sirisena government on trumped up charges.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who served as the powerful defence ministry secretary, appeared on Thursday for the second time before the anti-graft commission as Basil faced his own interrogation behind bars.

The new government has pursued complaints of misdeeds under Rajapaksa’s regime and several top ranking officials have already faced prosecution.

Gotabaya banned from traveling overseas

The Galle Magistrate today issued an order preventing former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, former Navy Commander Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake and two others from leaving the country.

The other two persons who were imposed the travel restriction were the Director of the Rakna Arakshaka Lanka (Pvt.) Limited, Major General (Retd) K. B. Egodawela and Manjula Yapa, the Managing Director of Avant Garde Security Services (Pvt.) Limited.

Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said the CID has requested the travel restriction to facilitate the investigation on the floating armoury of Avant-Garde at Galle Harbour.

Mervyn goes to CID against Gota and Basil

Former Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva has lodged police complaints against members of the Rajapaksa family. Police sources told that the Parliamentarian has lodged complaints over bribery, corruption as well as criminal charges. 

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa were at the receiving end of former Minister’s attack.

Silva has told the CID that the former Economic Development Minister amassed wealth through illegal means and he had “files” with regard to his illegal transactions.

More serious charges have been leveled against former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa including the murders of former Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wikcrematunga and a person named ‘Loku Seeya’.

Silva had said the former Defence Secretary was the main who was behind the “white van culture” in Sri Lanka over the past few years.

Speaking to media outside the CID premises, Silva said Basil Rajapaksa embezzled Rs. 6000 Million from 'Divineguma' funds.

Silva was a person who often claimed that he had utmost respect for the Rajapaksa family as he too hailed from Beliatta - the hometown of the Rajapaksas.

Meantime Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti  said that by complaining about Rajapaksas, Mervyn Silva does not get "immunity" over charges against him.

Handunnetti was referring to the complaints filed at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) by former Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva against Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa.


"Mervyn Silva was once a very trusted and loyal liaison of the Rajapaksa family and also played a major role in handling their 'deals'", Handunnetti said.

However, the JVP Parliamentarian  said that a proper investigation against the two Rajapaksa brothers should be conducted since the accusation comes from a person who was a 'worshiper' of the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

"Nevertheless, what he says should not be accepted without proper investigations", warns the JVP parliamentarian.

Meanwhile, Handunnetti  asserted that 'wrongdoings' done by Silva hiding behind the protection of the former regime should also be investigated.

Bribery charges filed against Rajapaksa family

 The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna today (January 13) officially filed a written complaint of bribery charges with the Bribery Commissioner against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his two brothers former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his eldest son MP Namal Rajapaksa.

The complaints were lodged by JVP members Vijitha Herath, Sunil Handunnetti and attorney at law Sunil Watawela.

Also named in the petition are former governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal, former Trade Minister Johnston Fernando, former Minister of Ports Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Chairman of the Tourist Board Senanka Gunaratne, Managing Director of the Ports and Tourism Promotions Bureau Rumy Fauser and National Lotteries Board Chairman and former Director General of the Economic Development Ministry Samudri.

Gotabhaya resigns as Lanka Hospitals Chairman

Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has resigned as Chairman of Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC.
Meanwhile, Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC Vice Chairperson Roshini S. Cabraal too has resigned from her post.

Gotabaya to eneter politics ?

 
The Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has stated that he is ready to enter politics, at the discretion of the President. 
 
Though he has no personal interest towards entering politics he will have to obey, if the President made such a request, he said.

Defence Secretary has made these comments speaking to Wijeya group's latest publication, 'Deshaya' Sunday newspaper.

“I will have to engage in politics if the President at some occasion said that you should engage in politics and the country needs your service. There is no special interest as such.

If to enter politics it has to be from Colombo. Not from Hambantota. Because I am in Colombo now" he said.

Threats to life of ‘Wanathe Sunil’

Samaradheera Sunil, aka ‘Wanathe Sunil’, freed after being abducted by a group in a white van, is facing threats to his life although he has returned to his people, lawyer Sunil Watagala of the JVP complained to the Human Rights Commission today (Jan 05)

The complaint notes no arrests had been made so far by the police although the abduction had taken place in February 15, after Sunil had an exchange of words with defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa over the dismantling of his house.

Although there is suspicion Sunil’s abductors were from the same area, they are still at large, said the lawyer, adding unidentified persons are frequenting his home now.

 

Related ::: 

Wanatha Sunil talks about Abduction

Duminda Silva faced Water bottle attack

Wanatha protest end with festivities

Lal Kantha talks about Gotabaya Rajapaksha

Former JVP Parliamentarian and JVP Western Provincial Council Candidate, K.D. Lal Kantha talks about Defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksha. 

Direct link :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7Fp1oPH0hM

Viharamahadevi Park vested on public

The newly renovated Town Hall Square including the Viharamahadevi Park, and the rehabilitated road network in the Colombo city were vested on the public yesterday (Feb. 19).

The upgraded facilities to these public utilities were declared open in the presence of Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa by Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday evening.

Upon placing flowers to the Lord Buddha statue at the entrance, the defence secretary together with the invitees went around the park and the Town Hall premises before opening the new Information Center.

The Chief Guest unveiled a special commemorative plaque erected at the park.

The development of Town Hall Square has helped the city of Colombo retain its historical 'Garden City' character while improving access to all public areas located within the square.

The more significant interventions include an overall upgrading of the Town Hall building and its extensive lawns and the three kilometer road network surrounding the historic city landmark and also the Viharamahadevi Park including the pedestrian sidewalks, street lighting, centre isles and roundabouts.

The park, the largest in the city has also had a major facelift with the new addition of cycle tracks, improved footpaths, lightning and attractively redesigned children's play area. The specially built kiddies water play is expected to be very popular with the children.

In keeping with the Secretary Defence's clean, green, people friendly open space concept the surrounding walls and gates have been removed to let free movement of people day or night.

Special security arrangements have been placed to ensure public safety 24/7.

The Town hall Square development project was completed with a cost of Rs. 614 million.

A large gathering of distinguished gathering including Senior Cabinet Minister A H M Fowzie, parliamentarians, Mayors of surrounding local bodies, state officials, Municipal Council members and civil society member were present at the occasion.

Gotabhaya Rajapaksa a great king : Mervyn

Minister Mervyn Silva said he sees Gotabhaya Rajapaksaas a brave and great king who rescued this country and someone who strengthens the hands of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He expressed these views at a Pirith chanting ceremony held yesterday at Pillewa Bosamidu Temple to invoke blessings on the Defence Secretary for his birthday.

First Family Celebrates New Year

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa celebrated Sinhala and Tamil New Year in the traditional manner at the Carlton Residence in Tangalle along with their sons Namal, Yoshitha, Rohitha and other relatives. Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Minister Johnston Fernando also participated in the celebrations.

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa conducted all the rituals at the auspicious time with the President and other family members assisted her. At the auspicious time for the lighting of the hearth the President, First Lady and many other family members attended the symbolic tradition of boiling milk at the auspicious time.

After observing the traditional New Year customs, the President visited the People’s Bank and Bank of Ceylon branches in Tangalle for traditional money transactions.

 

No dealings with Tamil Nadu - Gotabaya Rajapaksha

There will be no further dealings with tamil nadus, said the secretary Ministry of Defence and Urban development, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Speak into ‘Divaina’ Mr. Rajapaksa had said ’ according to the harassment meted out to Sri Lankans, hence forth all Tamils coming from Tamil Nadu will face maximum legal consequences and punishment’ ‘ Tiger sympathizers accuse of lacking in humanity and compassion.

Yet it is they who lack these. The take undue advantage of our humanity’ ‘ I believe that the India Central government will take appropriate measures to apprehend the LTTE sympathizers who re harassing Sri Lankan citizens and Buddhists monks. They should be apprehended and maximum punishment should ensue’ the Secretary further said.

Gota to clear underworld ?

The Ministry of Defence and Urban Development has taken steps to introduce a new programme to totally eradicate the underworld, The Defence Secretary, Mr. Gothabaya Rajapaksa told ‘ Divaina’.

He said that he believed the public support for this cause would be tremendous and that various tactics will be adopted to round the underworld figures and the police would be constantly briefed on the situation.

 If any information is received that these underworld figures have connection with or have the protection of politicians or other, such persons will be dealt with the due force of the law, irrespective of the status of the person concerned . He also said that the public should come forward with information of these underworld characters and such persons will be protected.