As the Rajapaksa regime pulls out all stops to prevent further erosion to the opposition, the Colombo Telegraph can now exclusively reveal details about the money bags behind stopping defections from the ruling UPFA coalition.
Mahinda Rajapaksa
One Nadesan, businessman and a close aide of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is said to be offering large sums of money to UPFA members on the fence about who to support at the presidential election in January.
The Rajapaksas have entrusted the moneybags to Nadesan, whose own track record on criminal financial activity could be exposed if he fails to do the regime’s bidding.
Colombo Telegraph learns that Nadesan has informed confidants that all those SLFP members taking funds from the President and his family in exchange to remain with the Government will have hell to pay if he wins a third term.
“To really enjoy their money they will have to pray for him to lose because if he wins he will demand the money back with interest,” the businessman is reported to have quipped in the company of friends and associates.
The President is livid about having to spend money in hundreds of millions to hold MPs and Government Ministers from decamping, the Colombo Telegraph also learns.
Former Government Minister of Public Reforms Navin Dissanayake claimed that he had been offered 100 million to remain with the Rajapaksa government. Colombo Telegraph learns that to retain some ministers and hold back MPs on the fence, the Government has also written off housing and other loans to the tune of millions. In the case of Janaka Bandara Tennakoon who cried about the fate of the SLFP in a widely publicised speech recently President Rajapaksa has threatened to recall his children serving in Lankan missions overseas if he crosses over, Colombo Telegraph learns.
Over 20 SLFP members were scheduled to cross over to the opposition in order to support the candidacy of Maithripala Sirisena, but the flood has turned into a trickle since the Rajapaksa regime put their counter strategy in motion.
Throwing hundreds of millions at MPs was akin to small change for the Rajapaksa campaign, some sources noted. It is not clear if Nadesan is spending his own money or the Rajapaksa brothers’ cash on stopping defections.
Meanwhile the Colombo Telegraph can now reveal that President Rajapaksa held a meeting with six separate private advertising agencies two weeks ago. Each agency was handed over an advance of Rs. 50 million to start production and book air time for the President’s re-election campaign. The incumbent President is reported to have submitted his declaration of assets to the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya but this document has not yet been made public. It is unclear if the asset declaration shows enough amassed wealth to afford a publicity campaign of the scale the Rajapaksa administration is undertaking.
On December 8, Nominations Day, every major newspaper published in the country – 15 in all three languages carried false front pages featuring the President’s return to Sri Lanka after the end of the war on May 18th 2009. Each newspaper carried an article of its own front page on the historic day. Sources said that in the English newspapers alone such a false cover would cost upwards of Rs. 2 million while Sinhalese newspapers would cost much more.
Pena Kiyanna / December 15, 2014
“Former Government Minister of Public Reforms Navin Dissanayake claimed that he had been offered 100 million to remain with the Rajapaksa government.”
So why isn’t he revealing the full incident to the police and the bribery commissioner?
Is that because he owns houses in Melbourne, orchards in South Australia and miilions of dollars is father made through Mahaveli contractor Skanska, well known Swedish bribe payer?
Is he really worth 100 million in the first place? what does he bring to any party?
The man’s lie should be revealed CT. Ask questions.
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srilal / December 15, 2014
Pena Kiyanna ,
True , there were/are massive no of allegations against Gamini Dissanayake and certainly it needs to probed regardless which side Navin is in , so there are no qualms about it .
with regard to 100M bribe , there is an audio clip which Navin seems to be bragging about it , CID or some one else needs to scrutinize it to verify the authenticity of the alleged conversation and must take appropriate action against him.
now ,why do you conveniently forget Lakshman Senaviratna’s Rs 450M bribe scandal and then Wimal’s Muzzamil Rs 40 M bribe offer , why do you want to sweep these allegations under the carpet ? isn’t it the very reason why you have chosen hundred odd number of pen names in this forum , please bear in mind we still remember CT highlighting your true character few months ago , you are fully exposed mate , i just want to remind other readers about your intentions , that’s all !
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Leelawathie / December 16, 2014
When reading all these, I feel MR ‘s abuses are similar to a metasatzied cancer.
But It is not comprehensible as to why EC keeps his financial declaration away from the public. In America, Germany and other countries make everything open before the candidates nominate for the presidential election.
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Pot Shot / December 15, 2014
No worries they will get their money to keep.
The President is going, going gone.Read on people A speech delivered by President Mahinda Rajapaksa over the weekend was cut-short following continous disruptions by the crowd. Rajapaksa, who was addressing a crowd in Dambulla, was forced to abandon his speech as members of the audience continued to disrupt him. According to eye-witnesses the President was forced to stop several times until the crowd grew silent before he continued. Finally Rajapaksa grew annoyed and announced that he could no longer continue his speech and that he would give way for them (the noisy audience members) to use the podium, he bid farewell to the crowd and left along with the rest of the contingent on the platform. Sources within the government denied that the President was forced to cut his speech short, but instead he finished early as he had another meeting to attend. Several weeks ago over 500 farmers from Dambulla protested along the main A9 road in Dambulla over the government’s decision to import big onions from India. According to P. R. Senajayakody, a local farmer, members of the government buying agencies had instructed them not to sell their produce as prices were expected to fall. However, when they went to sell their produce in the market they were told the government had imported onions and there was a surplus and so they would not be able to buy the locally grown onions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-xTpr2bpCg
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MirakRajBanda / December 15, 2014
Those ministers and MP’s opted remain or cross over for cash to RajaPakse regime would feel as from frying pan into bloody hell. MaRa/GoRa intimidation is nothing new to those who know them. Even Namal baby started to follow suit….
Your gave over IF he wins!!
So, be wise (of course, they are bunch of fools) and seek refuge from My3 or Ur2 will be in great danger after Jan.08 :)$£
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Native Vedda / December 15, 2014
Thirukumar Nadesan has close relationship with Ranil and had spent many days at Ranil’s home consoling him after his mother’s death.
He is another Tiran Alles who would not mind dealing with both parties all at the same time.
Since both parties have no ideological differences both should consider merging into one party and split the spoils equitably.
Ethical conduct???
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whywhy / December 15, 2014
Native
Guinness record-JRJ is the fastest spinner in the grave!
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Point of View / December 15, 2014
Talking about ethical conduct – Air Force is still using very old aircrafts – Antonov’s, which crashed in Hokandara killing a very young pilot. These Russian aircrafts are not allowed to fly over Europe and we are still using these.
With all the money spent on Tamasha’s/dansalas at Temple Trees / six helicopters for the first family etc., the Air Force planes should have been upgraded.
As the Commander for the Armed Forces, we should hold Mahinda responsible for the death of these four Air Force personnel. Shameless bugger had the audacity to pay respect to the Pilot’s family. This too, may be only because the dead Pilot is married to a Aluthgamage (of Derana fame).
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Palayang Yako / December 16, 2014
Thank you for that NV.
You have stated the unfortunate truth. They (the My3 and MR coalitions) are six of one and half a dozen of another. Simple as that.
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Gune / December 15, 2014
Can somebody name:
1. The businessman who are funding MR’s campaign?
2. The ministers and MP’s who planned to crossover?
3. The advertising companies who are doing the work?
Interesting to know the list national traitors?
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Fathima Fukushima / December 15, 2014
1. Ajith Cabraal – money printing. This is an endless source of funds. That is why inflation rises uncontrolled. ETF money is also used. A few drug dealers are also spending big. During MaRa’s time CEYLON TOBACCO COMPANY became the most valued corporate in SL. Despite Mathata Thitha! They too finance him.
2. ALL ministers of the CBK era.
3. Sarath Amunugama’s SMART MEDIA, etc.
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BBS agent / December 15, 2014
“inflation rises uncontrolled”????????? Have you been smoking the pot of late?
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Skanta / December 15, 2014
It is now a well known fact the Ceylon Tobacco Company paid huge bribe to squeeze through the graphical warning case…
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wathie / December 16, 2014
Imagine if Sirisena, the O’level qualified ex-gramasevaka, who had been incapable of getting the cartoon he wanted in the back of a cigarette packet as a minister is elected as the President of Sri Lanka. I think the country will grind to a halt from the day one.
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Native Vedda / December 17, 2014
wathie
Could you care to tell us about those achievements of highly qualified GL.
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whywhy / December 15, 2014
Gune
This is a kind of “just close your eyes and believe”
what you hear and see!Govt is very openly distributing
unimaginable services to the public in the form of
price cuts,gifts,loans,jobs,job offers and all these
specials only at elections!No more budgetary relief,
it’s all now “election relief.”When given to the public
it’s SERVICE.To CROSSOVERS,you fondly call it JARAWA.
The only question you won’t find an answer will be
about a PRINCIPLED man in our politics and that speaks
about a mountain of other aspects because it controls
everything else!
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Point of View / December 15, 2014
They are taking money because they are so sure that he will lose :)
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YoshithaParaposhitha / December 15, 2014
Rajafucksas will do ANYTHING to save them from WAR CRIMES charges.
I mean ANYTHING!
GoRa has already summoned retired army chiefs to get ready to take over the country when MaRa loses.
Why retired ones?
Because they were the teachers and leaders of the current serving personnel. So the current lot respects the retired lot. Clever man.
ALL govt. entities have GoRa’s ARAKSHAKA LANKA PVT LTD security guards. When MaRa loses, they block access to employees and disrupt govt. service justifying the impending military take over.
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K.A Sumanasekera / December 15, 2014
Daya Gamage , the Chief Organizer of the party of the Money Bags is about to jump to the Govt Camp to join the ex General Secretary..
Wonder whether this Money Bag Nadesan paid them too . And how much dosh for each ?..
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BBS agent / December 15, 2014
I thought its Harin as CM
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The Messenger / December 16, 2014
Sumanasekeram,
Wonder whether this Money Bag Nadesan is a Vellalar or dalit?
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K.A Sumanasekera / December 16, 2014
Good question mate,
He cantn’t be a Dalit… Can he…..
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bo / December 15, 2014
MRs return to SLK and kissing the tarmac at the airport is a fake gesture in my opinion. The only persons who ought to be on this front page were the winners of war who fought at the front lines. All the rest are just gerks hiding in their fortresses in Colombo.
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Harry Hatton / December 15, 2014
Raj Rajaratnam (USA-Gideon fame-former director John Keels), Saundaranayagam- from the Chittampalam Gardiner family (UK-Insurance fraud) ,now Nadesan connected to the rajapakse family ( SL -wheeler dealer)- Shouldnt the wife resign from her portfolio ?
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Snowden Edward Asange / December 16, 2014
ONLY ppl with ethics resign.. NEVER someone with a RAJAPAKSA last name….
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Ajith / December 16, 2014
It is interesting to note that three Tamils businessmen are supporting the racsict Sinhala politicians to rob the nation and massacre thousands of Sinhala and Tamils masses. Do we need to support these politicians and businessmen cheat our ordinary citizens.
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Ranil / December 16, 2014
Nadesan is an international fraud and he will be prosecuted for exchange control violations in the near future. He is corrupt to the core and is a disgrace to mankind.
When maithipala wins these people should be prosecuted and sent to jail for all they have done to corrupt politicians and important government officials.
He is the one maintaining the Rajapaksa accounts.
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Bodin / December 17, 2014
Remember,
Mithreepla Sirisena was the Deputy Defence minster, and the ONLY ONE IN THE COUNTRY when Prabhakaran was killed. Fonseka and MR were out. So, HE TOO GETS PROSECUTED FOR THE WHITE-FLAG STUFF and war crimes of the end period.
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Goodness Gracious / December 16, 2014
Let us assume that there are millions with the Rajapakses to hold his loose tribe and that Nadesan or somebody is the middle man. This is not the first time in history of Sri Lanka that men in power had money transacted through third parties and inevitably there are losses as a result of shady deals mainly arising in pocketing money by go betweens.
Present day politicians are smart. They themselves may have very little dirty money. They get others to spend and give position and opportunity to earn the money they spent. In fact some of the brokers wish to be out of the scene because they cannot recoup the losses.
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dcn / December 16, 2014
As a member of ordinary public it is astonishing to note so much money is being used for trading on politicians.
These monies would not have come from the heavens but poor man has to pay by way of cost of living.
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mechanic / December 16, 2014
On the one hand the opposition is accusing government ministers of being corrupt to the core, meaning they swindle large sums of money. If they are already swindling money, is there any need for the government to pay large sums to retain those already stashing in lumps. They would have hanged on any way.
There is another point: I just cannot understand why the opposition that preach good governance want such swindlers to dwell with them. Paid by the opposition or by the government to the opposite side is one thing but this allegation of ministers accepting money to stay put in the government has no logic what so ever.
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Native Vedda / December 17, 2014
mechanic
“Paid by the opposition or by the government to the opposite side is one thing but this allegation of ministers accepting money to stay put in the government has no logic what so ever.”
Please let us know whether there has been any logic in the state building process in the past.
Had there been any logic we wouldn’t be discussing this issue at all.
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upali / December 16, 2014
The story of Gamini taking bribes is grandmothers tales. If it is true why has it not been exposes all these years. Where are the houses and orchards.Just mere here say to cover up the misdeeds of the present regime
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NAK / December 18, 2014
Were you not even born when the TIME magazine exposed it and that particular edition of the magazine was banned from sale here in Sri Lanka and the whole bundle of the magazine was lifted from the customs warehouse.
Coming back to the topic,What is the big interest Chandrika has in this project.She would never pick the beehive just to lick her fingers as the saying goes. She must have got her fare share of the apple pudding from the US and Norvey. Also she wants to claw her way back into the SLFP to get her son the family legacy. This is the kind of good governance we are talking about.
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justice / December 16, 2014
There is a saying:-
Every man has his price.
The amount depends on his/her clout for/against the government/opposition.
Politicians without a ‘price’ are a rare species in sri lanka.
Peoplel like Nadesan cleverly invest in this ‘market’ – the benefits are a thousandfold.
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Ambrose Pereira / December 16, 2014
All corrupt politicians should be hanged in public to save the nation.
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thondamannar / December 17, 2014
All corrupt politicians along with Emmanuel & rayappu must go to heaven.
We the others must end up in hell and cheer their floicks from below.
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