President Maithripala Sirisena’s office has written to award winning Australian journalist Nick McKenzie requesting for information on the recent allegations that Sirisena and his advisor solicited a bribe when Sirisena was a cabinet Minister. The story was carried under the bylines of MxKenzie, Emmanuel Freudenthal, Michael Bachelard and Richard Baker.
Maithripala Sirisena
In a letter to McKenzie, the secretariat had requested for the name of the person allegedly involved, the mode of communication, the exact date of the incident and proof if any of such communication where the report said that Sirisena and his advisor had requested for a ‘donation’ if they were to approve a contract.
Soon after the story broke, Sirisena in a statement said that he had ‘no knowledge of the incident.’ The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Australian Federal Police is currently carrying out investigations involving the iconic Snowy Mountains Engineering Company (SMEC) where it is reported that the company’s overseas staff allegedly bribed officials to secure a US $ 2.3 million aid funded sewerage project in Sri Lanka in 2011.
Based on the investigations, the emails show a plot to skim the money off a World Bank-funded dam project in 2009. According to the Newspaper, if the company had made the ‘donation’ Sirisena was to approve the awarding of the dam contract to SMEC, which was worth US $ 1.8 million.
Related posts:
Australian Company Bribe Scandal: “No Knowledge Of The Incident” Says Sirisena
Sirisena In Soup Over Bribe Scandal Involving Australian Company
Patriot / August 27, 2016
Well well well..Sira caught with his hands in cookie jar. Interesting what we are getting is Sira Aussie Dollar loot after two years of searching MR’s USDs. Shame on you Sirisena.
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Sama / August 27, 2016
Wait and see, he will never be caught but Maharaja et al if not today but tomorrow. That is 1000000000000000%. If you call you guys Patriots, you ballige puthas should be wrong from the begining on.
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Sinchuappu / August 29, 2016
Yes like the sun will rise to lanken region as it usally it works – his future will be in a prison. That is certain. Crystal clear.
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AVB / August 28, 2016
I suggest Sirisena and GOSL should cosponsor this investigation with Australia.
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Ansar / August 27, 2016
Is MARA’s Dollars at work ? Secret, Secret ?
Anyway will give the benefit of the doubt to the reporter.
I am sure MY3 will be vindicated, unlike MARA family. Already two cases proved and many more to go. New comer Daisy Forrest is an addition to the list.
Whatever the outcome of the allegation totalling only Ausy Dollars 27K, the colossal plundering of the state by MARA family is no parallel to this meagre allegation.
Having said that, any allegation needs investigation, regardless of the amount.
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chitral siriwardene / August 27, 2016
Pollitical Donation is not a new thing to our Mr. president. He is doing the same thing now by appointing lost candidates in the general election by appointing them as national list MP’s and giving them ministerial portfolios in return expecting their vote to pass certain bills in the parliment.
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words / August 29, 2016
juuuuuust like his puppet mater/mistress- Crooked Hillary Clinton!!!
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Syntax / August 30, 2016
Words – you sound just like Donald Trump.
No surprise there!!!
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Nagananda / August 27, 2016
When those who holds high offices in the Parliament, the executive President and the Cabinet of Ministers indulge in corrupt practices in unimaginable scale, which the citizenry considers OK and nothing wrong, failure of any such Nation is inevitable and that is what is being happened to Sri Lanka since British had left this island nation.
The civilised countries (where the citizens are more concerned of their democratic rights and where there is a system in place to check those who wishes to enter any office in the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary) called countries like Sri Lanka, where is no system in place, ‘FAILED STATES’.
For plausible and irrefutable evidence of failure of the Legislature and the Executive in the Republic of Sri Lanka where those holding office in these organs engage in corrupt practices at the expense of taxpayer, I invite you to read the complaint filed in the Corruption Commission yesterday
http://socialjustice.watch/uncategorized/abuse-of-tax-free-vehicle-permits-of-mps-for-misappropriation-of-public-funds/
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CK / August 27, 2016
Oh Mr. President you don’t have to do any investigation on this find someone like Wimal Weerawansa, and asked him to start a protest against this news saying “This is an international conspiracy against me” :D :D
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jim softy / August 27, 2016
Politicians know that every one of them do this and get rich. That is why politics is very popular employment among children and relatives of politicians. the easiest way to get rich and live a flamboyant life without having any qualifications.
Here, Maithripala is avoiding the major problme. Now what happened is “puhul hora karen dene” type. Instead of bringing laws to stream line this way of corruption MY3 is Attorney General and the employyes workig for him to cover it up.
That is cheap.
Everybody knows, there are many politicians, in the parliament, who became rich this way.
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සෙනරත් / August 28, 2016
Well said Gim.. Most think only other side politicians are good and pure. It is the main constrain to stop corruption in our countries. Some fellows who are souting against corruptions, are also indirectly engaging corrupt activities. That is the KRAMA of our people.
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Non PhD / August 27, 2016
I am surprised that smart patriot DJ, HLDM, Gomyn, Malinda and the likes are very quiet on this matter.
Joint opposition Pada yaathira organisers like gang of four, MaRa Bros & Co are quiet too.
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gamini / August 27, 2016
All are quiet because they do not want their strings exposed. Otherwise imagine why the Australians waited for 15 long years to expose this. Certainly looks darn fishy.
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Shobana / August 27, 2016
My dear Mr Prez.
What goes around, comes around.
You & your family WILL suffer for the sins you have done to innocent people .
Waiting with baited breath at what karma will befall you.
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jim softy / August 28, 2016
I don’t think, Aus $ 27,000 is the total amount of Political donations, bribes or commissions that Maithripala Sirisena took during his whole political life. It should be far higher than that.
What happened here was, Mahinda Rajapakse wanted to become President or Prime minister again. that did not work. then he tried make his son the future by making him a Secretary of SLFP or something importnat. Now, Namal is caught as a playboy who used every sandalous way to get rich and earn money. It looks that is also scuttled. Who knows, Mahinda Rajapakse may be trying to negotiate and ask MY# to leave Namal Rajapakse and his illgotten wealth alone.
Even though media did not make those things issues, there are many more politicians who made money from politics and live good lives and bring their family members to politics because it is good life there.
What ever it is, it fair to ask from the President to fix this issue for once and for ever. It is true that, Politicians need political donations in order to do their election campaigns. But, they can not use it for every kind of corrupt activity and by that way ruin the country. Many problems in Sri lanka, can nbe solved if politicians are honest as far as possible and accountable. right now, they are the worst criminals, worst theives in the country.
President has to forget all the negative publcity given by the Mahinda Rajapakse fans. President has to be focused and have to make hay out of this issue by fixing it. President can prove that he is a real leader and not another thief just like previous other presidents were.
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Nuwan / August 28, 2016
Ha…honest politicians. One more honest than the other. 27K is meager compared to other amounts. All a shameless attempt to justify corruption. But the truth is that it never ends.
What are we doing? Doing the same thing again and again expecting a different result. That’s insanity. We all know we can’t find honest politicians. As long as the culture persists even a saint can be corrupted in office. This is the truth.
So let’s make the assumption that given the opportunity all politicians engage in corruption. What can we then do to make sure that such opportunities do not exist?
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Mallaiyuran / August 28, 2016
“I don’t think, Aus $ 27,000 is the total amount of Political donations, bribes or commissions that Maithripala Sirisena took during his whole political life. It should be far higher than that.” Probability is whistleblower got only 50:50 and he is blowing the whistle for his shortfall. He Probably didn’t know the direct deposits to foreign bank accounts, in which he had no share.
The Australian Goverment is corrupted because there are too many Sinhala Intellectuals stationed there. One or two Sinhala Intellectuals from the Boston area clining to Secretary Kerry’s office devastated the American foreign Policy. Then imagine the ability of the number surrounding the Australian government can do. Australia is a country publicly worked with Old Royals to hide the boat people import – Export. The extreme amount money laundering and bribes in Australia enabled Lankawe to have the earlier denied CHOGM in Lankawe 2013. In parallel, at the same time, further large sums thrown with entertainment girls to get the Commonwealth Games. That yet have to explored by any journalist. Australia paid money to Old Royal Navy and donated instruments officially to encourage these practices without bring them to international justice. Australian government has its hand on the boat smuggling operation with Old Royal members. Tony Abbott personally stamped these operations, working with Old Sons Princes.
Australia seems to the only Western style Democracy getting involved at government level in Lankawe’s, Myanmar’s, Indonesia’s money, drug, human smuggling projects.
If somebody come out with a way to drag Australian Goverment to an International Court, it will be forced to spit out a lot on Appe Aandus secret projects, including the Avant Garde. This will enable to bring action against most of the Old Royals.
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anotherbuddhist / August 29, 2016
Mallaiyuran
‘NO BOATS, NO CRY’ Since the boats with terrorists were stopped the Australian government is all bad. ‘The Australian Goverment is corrupted because there are too many Sinhala Intellectuals stationed there’….
Now so many Sinhala Intellectuals….I thought your dead god Praba said and you guys think ‘Sinhalaya modaya, kavum kanna yodaya’…..So how can there be so many Sinhala Intellctuals ?
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Sathya / August 28, 2016
This is part of the Master Plan of those who put MY3 to power. First MY3 was shown the carrot. He got greedy and went after that. Now the same people who put him to power are coming with the stick.
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Yahapalanaya / August 28, 2016
If the president is clean he can sue the publication.
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KA Sumanasekera / August 28, 2016
So Bodhi Sira wants all the information from the AFP?
How cool.
Has AFP got a branch office in Colombo , which is manned by Bodhi Sira.?..
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Siribiris / August 28, 2016
This may probably be the tip of the iceberg!
The amount (Tip) is small but the unseen underwater ‘mountain’ could sink even the Yahapalana ‘Titanic’!!!!!
The CB bond scam shattered the image of so-called Lilly-white UNP leadership and even the President could not hide the fact! Most probably the president was fully aware of the indefinite size of such deals. People are curious and have a right to know!
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Justicia / August 28, 2016
Non PhD, your query why they are silent is that this is suppose to have happened during their “Rajjuruvo” rule. How can they spit out looking skywards? Spit will fall on their faces.
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Justiciagulups / August 28, 2016
Most pertinent question I see here is why was the SL manager of this company sacked Couldn’t it be that he keep the money for himself and inform the principals that he had to give this money as a bribe to secure the contact?
How could they now say no money has been paid. Did they, on their own found out that this was a made-up story by their SL Manager. A full independent inquiry will reveal all the facts.
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EW Golding / August 28, 2016
I do not believe this story; that’s my gut reaction.
In the end it is likely to be proved wrong.
But I am prepared to wait for an inquiry to be completed before saying anything more than that my gut feeling is that the story is false.
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Aia / August 28, 2016
If the incident happens in 2011, MR as the President of that time could be able to shed light. And, would not he seize this opportunity proving both, the present and the past Presidents are in par when it comes to corruption, even worse for MS, as he preaches more about the good governance.
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Pacs / August 29, 2016
This is either a minor harbinger or a warning.
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Ruvan / August 29, 2016
Sri Lankans are mostly Buddhists and they do believe in Dittha Damma Vedaniya kamma (which means that a wrong doer is compelled to experience the negative results of his/her own action in this very life). The power of that Kamma or action is so strong that it does not wait until the doer is reborn).
Many Buddhists talk about this Kamma with regard to what is happening to Yahapalana rulers!
It is important and also very interesting to listen to tuk-tuk drivers, farmers, government and private sector employees, monks, and even young people who wander what to do next! This Karma theory may be alien to many CT readers but it sounds like that it has some logic in itself!
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maalumiris / August 29, 2016
Why all the fuss ?
It was a “donation” after all.
Just like a “Dansala” during festivals. Or “Daane” – The Aussies were just looking to gather merit.. and a slice of that delicious Aid Cake !
President should be declared innocent – It is “Yahapalana Era” after all. If it was Mahinda, then we can declare him guilty immediately
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watcher / August 29, 2016
All these crooks if they are blue, green or red should be shot similar to chinese and ask family to pay for the bullet.. Thats how chinese insult the whole clan that is stealing peoples money.
It seems some idiots here is only looking for MR’s crimes and whitewash the present crooks… I like to ask Don’t you have any shame ?
Whole countries ruling clans are corrupt. Ministry secretary is the bag man for all the ministers crooked deals.
Go after these peoples wealth and ask them how they got it.
Maru sira did not have any wealth before he came to politics and now did he afford to get kids studying in foreign places and how did he get any money?
Same thing goes to crooked drunked former mrs president, possibly most corrupt and past prostitute, now selling the country since she got experience as a teen ager doing the same… Ask her former doctor and he will tell the whole story. Also ask former Shell CEO about the Chelsea flat he has to give to this women.
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vishvajith / August 29, 2016
Terrible hand played by the ‘catcher’ bugger for asking 1pct, when the going rate was 5pct ( wasn’t Basil known as Mr. 5 pct…wikileaks ).
The ‘catcher’ has effectively devalued the ‘santhosam’ by 80 pct.
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B Karunaratne / August 29, 2016
Since this fellow was elected as the president of our country, we who live in Australia New Zealand and in the islands around could keep our head high. Now he beheaded us not matter what the truth was it. He disgraced our sinhala race all over the globe.
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Sam / August 29, 2016
Same thing he is doing with the cocaine money Hegel donations and all drugs caught sold at half price . Have we seen what is happening to all the drugs they caught during last 2 years .bllody crooks that we have elected all
These dogs should be in the jail
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weerasinghe upali / September 1, 2016
B Karu.
You live in Australia/Newzealad and call your Srilankan?
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