‘Govt. has done nothing for 6.9 mn who voted for it’

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government has done nothing for the country as pledged after being elected by 6.9 million voters, United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian Ajith Mannapperuma said.

He was speaking to the media on the current political situation, at the UNP headquarters Sirikotha yesterday.

Mannapperuma said that the government has let down the 6.9 million people who voted for it. The people voted for the SLPP in order to punish the Easter Sunday attackers and persons responsible for Central Bank bond scam. But the wishes of the people who voted for them have not been fulfilled, he said.

“The government has done nothing during the two-and-a-half months since it came to power. The government brings an issue to the surface from time to time in order to appease the people. Previously the government dealt with Patali Champika Ranawaka, the Swiss Embassy issue, Rajitha Senaratne and Ranjan Ramanayake. Now the latest topic is coronavirus,” he added.

He asked whether the government has caught the people responsible for the Central Bank fraud and Easter Sunday attacks.

Speaking further on the forensic audit report on the Central Bank bond scam, the MP said that the government condemns the report even though it has been prepared by two renowned international companies. The government tried its best to hide the forensic audit report from the people until the last moment. The Parliament session was nearly over before the report was taken up.

He noted that Perpetual Treasuries Ltd which was allegedly involved in Central Bank bond scam, was initiated with the blessings of then Central Bank Governor Nivaard Cabraal before 2015.

Speaking on the issue of SriLankan Airlines, Mannapperuma urged the President to appoint a commission to look into the alleged misconduct reported when purchasing 10 Airbus aircraft. According to him, SriLankan Airlines has become bankrupt as a result of this fraud. He said that the government is interfering in the Judiciary by appointing a presidential commission to look to the investigations carried out by the FCID, CID, Bribery Commission and other investigating bodies during the period of the last regime.