The Parliamentary debate into the reports of the Commission of Inquiry into the Treasury Bond Issue and the Commission on Serious Fraud and Corruption commenced in Parliament this morning. Two additional dates on February 20 and 21 as well.
Opening the debate today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the Government was aiming to restructure the Central Bank through a new Finance Act. He stated that the Government had taken action regarding the Central Bank bond scandal. Evidence has been recorded, court action has been initiated and some individuals have already been arrested. Further action is also due to be taken regarding the PRECIFAC report, he added.
Chief Opposition Whip and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka insisted that his party would not support any move to turn Parliament into a court and hand down sentences such as stripping MPs of their civic rights based on contents in the report. However, he also noted that the PRECIFAC Committee had pointed out a flaw in the country’s Constitution, under which an individual, even if he or she is found guilty of corruption, would still be eligible to contest and election and be elected to office after a lapse of seven years. Stressing that those found guilty of corruption should never be allowed to be a people’s representatives, Mr Dissanayaka said that the JVP would support any Constitutional amendment that would bar corrupt individuals from seeking political office again.
The debate on the two reports itself was evidence that change has come to the country, opined State Finance Minister Eran Wickramaratne. He pointed out that there had been no investigations into allegations during the past and even the reports of Presidential Commissions which were established then were never made public. He appealed to the President to release those reports too and let the public know of their contents. The Minister further remarked that the Government should not limit itself to probing treasury bond issuances from 2008 as the Commission had recommended, but to also look further as far back as 1990.
Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera appealed to all MPs not to think along party lines but to stand against corruption. He insisted that the Presidential Commissions were not appointed to target anyone in particular. The Minister recalled that some members in the Joint Opposition dismissed the Bond Commission and openly ridiculed it when it was initially appointed, though they were now singing its praises.
Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) Leader Wimal Weerawansa claimed that losses from the treasury bond scam outweighed all acts of corruption highlighted in the PRECIFAC report. The bond scam by contrast, also applies to all segments of society unlike other alleged acts of corruption. Stating that the Government had been caught red-handed in the bond scam, he charged that it had been unable to prove any allegations it leveled against those in the Joint Opposition.
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