When constructing the Hambantota port alone somebody in the Rajapaksa regime had pocketed Rs 15000 million, says Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe
At the opening ceremony of the modernized milk factory in Ambewela yesterday, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said: “the Rajapaksa regime had spent US $ 1500 million for the construction of the Hambantota port. But when we were signing latest deal, we selected the company who offered the highest bid which is US $ 1400 million. That means the port’s value is only US $ 1400 million.”
Who pocketed the balance US $ 100 million which is equivalent to Rs 15,000 million the Prime Minister asked.
Last week the government signed a tripartite agreement to ease the debt ridden port. The agreement was signed between the China Merchant Port (CMP), Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the Ministry of Ports and Shipping. The signed deal gave the Sri Lankan government US $ 1.4 billion. (Jacqueline Senanayake)
Harishchandra / August 8, 2017
Have had enough of the political theatrics of these scoundrels, lets seriously decide about getting a set of guys who will be answerable 24/7 to those who voted them in, to rule this country.
/
Disturbed UNPer / August 8, 2017
Unfortunately, there is no one answerable to the people about the pledges they made. PM is hell bent of saving MR and family (probably for saving him from the Batalanda fiasco or helping him to keep his leadership in the party). Whatever the reason it is quite clear PM is not pushing the investigation. When cornered he arbitrarily throw accusations at MR but haven’t been able to prove anything, whereas the President initiated bond inquiry has already proven the rogues in the UNP govt operating close to the PM possibly with the latter’s blessings. PM never allowed an inquiry into the bond scam but tried at every turn to block it.
/
Silva / August 8, 2017
He is probably clearing the way for Gota Rajapaksa to become president so that we can have a full scale international intervention to clean up our mess of corrupt politicians we are unwilling/unable to expose and punish!?
/
billy / August 8, 2017
bugger agrees that the yahapaluwo are unable to prove anything substantial on MR, but still cries hora ranila is protecting them…seriously, who needs protection from unsubstantiated allegations like this …..these yahapaluwo are living one heck of a dream world…
/
roy / August 9, 2017
alibaba and alibaby are all together, what a perahera they are having cheating the poor. No wonder Srilanka is a paradise for some…
/
Janaka / August 9, 2017
Yes I think you are spot on.
So much shit all over. Unless the PM and RK leave the cabinet, damage will be unmanageable. SLFP is pretty much done. It is necessary to liquidate UNP too and redivide into two new parties.
We will not have Cleans vs Uncleans any time soon. But Uncleans and NotSoUncleans may be realistic.
/
Darunuwathie Punchihewa / August 8, 2017
Those who have been caught the mode of licking the balls of previous men:
Please tell us were you aware any thing about the agreeements signed by previous Zimbabwian style regime ?
/
LittleisimonfromBerlin / August 9, 2017
I now believe, had Prez MY3 and PM RW gave the PRIORITY to jail all the alleged men of previous so called regime for various high crimes including money laundering and murders such as Lasantha W, Thadjudeen, Ekanaligoda, nothing would have reached to tarnish their image the way it has turned out to be today.
At least they could speed up all various allegations made on BASIL, who is no worth to the country anymore, but to his corrupted family.
At least that Eunach Wimal Weerawanse, who is alleged to have made all high crimes, directly being blessed with MAfia King for all high abuses. Not a single case was finalzed during last 2.5 years, is what we get to see today.
Bond Scam or any other failures made by current rulers seem to be cover up for high criminals of the previous regime to abuse the nation further.
Alone UMA OYA is proved to have started not caring about the danger before the people and their livelyhood in that area.
And those students entered to SAITM with other medical students today have been wasting time, just because of that medical college issue – none of them were subjected to any kind of quality control, but family power had been place above everything.
Ballige putha had been wasting funds of the nation, as if he has no a brain the size of a mustard seed.
Today they talk high, just hang on with CENTRAL BANK issue.
Get former CBG to the discussion round and cross question him for all the wastages made by them deliberatly. Former leader wife is proved to have spend millions by state funds for her touring to some countries.
Just for a day or two they have spent 14 450 British pounds – can you imagine ?
/
Samuel Jayaweera / August 8, 2017
I am so happy if current affairs with BOND scam issues work summoning all alleged men….
Rajapakshe will have no more space to be kept away whoever and whatever status they bear.
Bubble is blown .. thanks god… Dhitta Dhamma wedayniiya will take care of Rajapakshe HIGH crimes …. in between current men would also be punished.
/
Silva / August 8, 2017
Time for the people to start a new political party made up of professionals with a good track record leaving no room for any of the politicians from any existing parties…
/
Bunjappu / August 8, 2017
Yes, you may be right. Silva, we know how hard we worked to chase away MAFIA king et al from their tyrannial rule.
But do you think that people would support professionals.
Even today, they go on stressing, new reforms to laws can be not acceptable. I am talking about majority folks.
Please do some self-research on how people s average mind set work down there in that island.
They are against taxes.
They are against rigorous law enforce,ment
They are against private medical colleages
They are against federalism, but only for separation of garbage they become federal.
even if you guys would want Proffessional to get together for a better leader, but
so long very same folks (majority) remain unchanged, nothing will be achieved.
I respect PD Dozent Dayasiri from Colombo Uni having added that lankens need antoher few decades for a tangible change in the society.
/
Silva / August 8, 2017
Yes the problem is complex and needs to be given more thought. For now the public has to work with the few educated politicians available and carve out a path to creating a much more transparent system of governance better tax structure that are transparent that ends up being used for the development of the country that it has been allocated for. The people need to know how their tax monies are at work? They need to know it’s not being robbed by some corrupt politicians.
We also need to find methodologies to bring back all the stolen monies in offshore platform. We need INTERPOL to help bring these monies and help with these investigations that cross our national borders into the global environment. I feel one on the key areas is developing a transparent systems of governance with accountability.
Yes the mindset of the majority is a huge problem and obstacle in moving in the right direction.
Anyone will have to deal with that problem regardless of who makes up the government.
Politicians will have to work with professionals when it comes to policy formulation systems engineering that includes transparency & accountability. We don’t need professional to become politicians as long as they can work together.
/
Nimal / August 9, 2017
I am for this new party of honest people but the people in the streets have a urge for it.Latter too need enlightenment,to be erect as well.Whole country is in a mess where the few thieves are taxing the hardworking taxpayers and nothing to show for the taxes paid.politicians have carved up the country for themselves.We need foreign intervention of some kind to stop the rot.
/
K A Sumanasekera / August 8, 2017
On second thoughts I don’t think Dr Rail was telling a Joke to amuse the Yahapalana suckers…….In fact , This is a diversion tactic of Dr Ranil to save his neck from the Nosse which his hired boss Prez Bodhi Sira is dangling in Dr Ranil’s face……….Hon Yahapalana Cabinet Ministers Mr Kabir Hassim and Malik Samare will be asked kindly to front up to Sira’s Commissioners next ……. Penthouse Ravi told the commission , his undated note to Dr Ranil’s mate ,Mahendran is fairdinkum……And he forgot to date it……Hehehee…. But the note said they needed that money to build Roads…..And Kabir and Mallika gave it the Okay……………Where is Kirra?…..
/
K A Sumanasekera / August 8, 2017
Dr Ranil is damn lucky to get USD 1400 Million for Magampura from the Chinese, if the cost was only USD 1500 Mil……Normally they pay less than even half the cost price for such projects……As a punter, I can attest to that, after doing the Dough by investing in a Infrastructure Project in a so called First World nation……It is only low life Politician without any substance , can spin a stupid story to sling mud at opponents, who have done a fantastic job to develop such Infrastructure , especially in the Areas where the great inhabitant majority live……….
/
Native Vedda / August 8, 2017
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
“As a punter, I can attest to that, after doing the Dough by investing in a Infrastructure Project in a so called First World nation”
–
So you are the bag man (Benami) for the clan. You must have mastered money laundering or have good contact with Hawala/Peso Exchange.
–
Are you sure you have avoided paper trail? However the paper trail is going to be there forever whatever you do to hide it.
–
“It is only low life Politician without any substance , can spin a stupid story to sling mud at opponents, who have done a fantastic job to develop such Infrastructure , especially in the Areas where the great inhabitant majority live……….”
–
In the meantime the political pimps, Benamies and his master’s b***s carriers make money out of Dalits and they are proud of being such.
/
billy / August 8, 2017
ahh the yahapana vedda to the rouge hamus rescue ….lol
/
Liyanage / August 8, 2017
Mr Clean, how could you forget $40 million loan borrowed to remove the seabed rock? So, the difference is $60 million. The total loss of Bond scam is much higher if calculated properly.
/
shankar / August 8, 2017
“we selected the company who offered the highest bid which is US $ 1400 million. That means the port’s value is only US $ 1400 million.”
Who pocketed the balance US $ 100 million which is equivalent to Rs 15,000 million the Prime Minister asked”
let us say i purchased a land and built a house in hambantota in 2010 costing me rupees 20 million.Family and friends were blaming me for doing this in a god forsaken place but stubbornly i went ahead because of the fact that my ancestor, when he was brought by the dutch from indonesia went straight there to work on the sugar plantations.Everyone said that one day if i have to sell the house because i can’t make by bank repayments i will incur a big loss.Sure enough when i tried to sell it only 2 buggers gave an offer and they both were brothers who colluded with each other and i got only rs 18,666,000.Now one of my arch enemies is going around telling people that my original cost could not be rs.20 million and i had inflated the figures by rs.3,334,000,which is the difference between my original cost and the amount i got from the sale.His contention is that the buyer would have made a proper valuation when he paid me the money and therefore since my cost does not tally with his valuation now i must have got a loan for 20 million and pocketed 3.34 million rupees.
My friends and family asked me why i did not insist on the buyer paying me at least my original cost of 20 million rupees if indeed it was the cost.I told them you people don’t even know the difference between mortgage bonds and james bond and therefore no point in trying to explain .
/
shankar / August 8, 2017
a mistake in my calculations It should be 1.34 million difference between sales price and cost not 3.34.
/
sach / August 8, 2017
what an idiot this PM is! The loan for building Hambanthota port is 1.5 billion but we sold it at 1.4 billion…so 0.1 is pocketed.
1. oi idiot, did you not sell only 80% of the shares? Then how come you get 100%?
2. The costs include compensation for people also.
You sold 80% of shares of a strategic port along with 15000 acres for a pittance! This guy is a number one moron and his followers are bigger idiots than him.
/
LEELAGEMALLI / August 8, 2017
Sachooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! nation s dimwit.
COME WITH THE FACTS – were there any other bidders than 1.1 Billion dollars ?
You have a big mouth, i really dont know if that was cross implanted lately, if we all recall it, they THE bunch of thugs led by MR failed to bring any ships to Hambantota. Nor were they clever enough to promote Mattala. Airport.
You talk about high of your men, but [edited out] Et al had provably signed an agreement, which Lawyer Ajitha Perera showed to Satana Program, brought not a SINGLE dollar to lanken state.
Latter agreement was just to develop the harbor only. 300 MILLIONS of dollar or so.
But his media men never had guts to pass to the PEOPLE as i tis the case for today.
You may have gone hidden to that time, since you rmission is nothign else, ,but to lick the backsides of Rajakashe idiots.
/
Take That / August 8, 2017
Instead of the rhetoric the President should have appointed a special presidential commission with the powers to fast track legal action as against the wrong doers of the Rajapakse regime. Instead the current president slept on it with the tacit support of the PM. So we have the current set of crooks being cornered but not giving up and the former crooks laughing their side off with eyes set on power again. There are TV channels that use to “bleep” whenever the name Rajapakse was mentioned but today are playing a games as they are also shamelessly asking for favours and when exposed then pick on selective exposure. Just imagine the climate for business in this country. So all have to share in the blame game.
/
Citizen Perera / August 8, 2017
This is from another leading daily: “… high level sources told Ceylon Today, that there is a possibility that two more Cabinet Ministers from the UNP will be summoned before the Commission this week.The source said it may be Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema and Public Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim. Samarawickrema is the Chairman of the UNP and Hashim General Secretary of the Party”.
Elsewhere, our Pee-M says: “UNP is not a party of thieves”. Who are the above two? The Chairman and the GS of the Joint Opposition?
Believe me, I’m no longer interested in MR or his regime, especially at this moment. Yahapalana Governement had ample time to deal with crooks of that regime, but instead they started to rob the country in broad day light.
Let’s take one by one! Let’s finish RaviK’s case first, free or punish him; then proceed to Samarawickrama and Hasim. In the meantime, recover the lost millions and return to public coffers!
If we do this today, there will be educated and honest gentlemen and women in politics tomorrow.
/
Leelawathie / August 8, 2017
I thnk this situation would pave the way all long overdue thugs like Sajinn vaas, Baesil, Eunach Weerawanse and all to be taken to focus sooner than later.
If current men would be summoned, no doubt bond scam related issues would reveal.
So then, the question would be raised, as to why Thadjudeen case was burried under the carpet ?
And the funds kept hidden in Dubai by Rajapakshe familiy is not yet investigated, if done what stand they have achieved.
Mig deal is said to be under investigation, but not even the guy – former Leaders Cousiin one another ballige putha is caught by INTERPOL yet.
And Avandgarde and other issues that went burried… and all other multi murders carried out by Gotabaya … why they were kept delayed… all should come one behind the other.. but within shorter period of time.
Former CBG Rajapakshe man should be brought before the court.
Namal Rajapakseh CGN and all other various issues should be EXPOSED..
All in all, everyone would be caught by their horns.
/
Jim Softy / August 8, 2017
so what Rajapakse is a war hero. he can pocket as much as he can. he will still be a war hero
/
Native Vedda / August 8, 2017
Jim Softy the Blue Avatar
–
“so what Rajapakse is a war hero. he can pocket as much as he can. he will still be a war hero”
–
That is what many in this forum believe. In order to confirm what you are saying here , pleas ask thrishu, sach, Bloody Nuisance, Champa, Shenal, Johnny Baby, Srinathan Gunaratnam, KASmaalam, …………….
–
It is not a matter of winning the war which gave MR & Clan the automatic right to impunity, the fact that MR and his sibling MR single handedly beat up the Tamils where it hurt won them the right to impunity and cash reward.
/
thrishu / August 9, 2017
Vedda you ignoramus. Get your facts right. For the record, I do not subscribe to the idea that MR was a war hero. Only those in the armed services that risked their lives for the good of the nation are war heroes in my book. No, I do not accept that liberation of the country from terrorist menace is an excuse to indulge in corruption and ripping off the country of its assets and filling them in their personal bank accounts abroad. Regardless of in what political colours they come, political criminals that follow corrupt practices are common criminals in my book, they must be treated as such; confiscate all their assets and throw them in dungeons. Retribution should apply to Greens and Blues equally, starting from those in charge, today and yesterday.
/
Jim Softy / August 9, 2017
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
Sunil / August 8, 2017
Jim Softy, I believe stealing makes you a criminal!!?
And add the war crimes most definitely makes the Rajapaksas war criminals…
/
Sumane / August 8, 2017
Ranil is a failure. As a unp supporter from 1960s I can only say this pseudo leader of UNP who failed over 26 elections is so good in piggy backing on some other name. Chandrika showed her size 6 shoe in 1994 kicking him out of the PM post. Again he tryied his luck with Gen. Fonseka and failed Then came in 2015 with egg hopper eating grand hopper MS . Now he is sinking the whole ship with its the rickety President who is so gullible and helpless. Ranil is answerable and accountable for the Bond issue as it was his team,appointees who initiated the siphoning the Govt coffers. How he protected his friends and cronies ? His hands are dirty as much as RK or Arjun and his son in law. Now the final show is on soon the curtain will come down ending the 40 years of projecting an aura of worthless, futile leadership position with a bunch of yes men around him. He has only his family and that’s soon fading away. Alas , you and your school mates were never loyal to Royal. People in the country is fuming and burning like a volcano underneath. You have no way out from this wrath
/
Karu / August 8, 2017
It only shows that this govt sold a valuable asset for less than its market value. Did someone in THIS govt take a big commission for selling it at a loss .?
/
Sundra Pandian / August 8, 2017
He tailor made the UNP Constitution to suit his needs. He was re-elected
leader with the full support of then President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The
latter ordered the road outside be paved on the day the Working Committee
was meeting so crowds could not demonstrate against Ranil. Karu Jayasuriya
was contesting him. STF personnel in civilian clothes took up position in
Sri Kotha.
That UNP leader wanted to become President in 2020. So he told a group of
ministers (Ravi, Malik and Kabir) to work with Arjuna Mahendran and loot
the public money at the Central Bank. They wanted to pay back some loans
and get ready for new elections. Avante Garde gave Rs 50 million for the first
UNP May Day rally. Malik operated on the sly and no one knew. Ravi began to
show off.
Will some television station show the footage of how Ranil stoutly or bravely
defended Arjuna Mahendran in Parliament. That is not all. When Sirisena removed
him from the post of Governor of the Central Bank, Ranil got him as his Economic
Advisor. He attended all meeting of the Economic Committee and travelled on
foreign trips with Ranil in open defiance of Sirisena.
Now Ranil is saying it is the other man who is robbing. He is going mad and should
see a psychiatrist. Imagine if he became President of Sri Lanka. The Treasury and
the Central Bank will be in his house with branches at Malik’s house in Kandy.
/
Raj / August 8, 2017
Mr Prime Minister
I am tired of hearing about corruption. Why don’t you really do something about it instead of whitewashing the scandals? Past corruption get replaced with new corruption, & in time, all get forgotten. Start by reforming your own party. All you have to do is to get your guys to disclose their assets to get the ball rolling & let the Inland Revenue to their job. Then you can think of those outside the party, past & present, after all there is a saying about those living in glass houses.
By the way, while you are at it, why don’t you finish off what has already started, like the charges against Sajin Vass, before they are also swept under the carpet?
/
H / August 8, 2017
‘Honorable’ Minister Wickramasinge,
If you know about this, know who ‘pocketed’ this, and have evidence against the accused, why don’t you have take legal action and have them prosecuted? You stand on a podium in front of people and keep whining and throwing accusations. You are the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, take some action instead of fooling the public. This accusation on a public podium does not change a thing.
You have no idea how disappointed the people of Sri Lanka are, and you along with the rest of the regime do not care.
/
Jim softy / August 8, 2017
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
ramona therese fernando / August 8, 2017
So? Currency and country-worth deflated after Rajapaksa’s time!
/
K.Pillai / August 8, 2017
This was the slogan in the husting prior to the 08 January 2015. We believed you and mandated you to clean the mess. You have not done that. We know that you inherited a structure with loyalty elsewhere. We also know that you have difficulty finding honest bricks to build and contain the structure. Your team is adopting a “Cannot beat them so join them” mantra.
So instead of recycling the slogan try hard to find the culprits.
Yes yes yes we are scared of white vans.
/
D.Nimal / August 9, 2017
Hon. Primer you said “somebody has told” you , MR has loots or pocked millions of Rupees from this and that deal? Why do not go through real path of Law enforcement authority to seek search culprits of who had been steel public funds by during their era of Ruling at that time? Why do we want that democracy could be corrupted by political power of any leadership or party of Sri lanaka.
(Primer)You and MS and CBK undertake to “governances” that promised to be eradicated all sorts corruptions! Did you take any positive steps ,to stop such evils from our soil ? Not yet or not at all!
Instead of that as the leader of UNP’s and Primer of SL, you have work dramatically an opposite to that your “Good governances” has enrich and enlarge wider area of Corruptions by backing from USA, UK, EU, Japan ,Canada, Australia and Indian by name of “Democracy”?
Is that way, what ever said and done democracy in Western world has guided to YOU-Primer?
I do not think so .Western world are different from path of your governances?
The path of your ‘democracy’ an apply in Island by you, it is has No relationship with even West or East?
That your own path of corruptions of politics of UNP? You are familiar that system political corruptions since 1977 under the JRJ -UNP governances!!!
Only solution and way of your politics has to leave soon, that keep other to be enough room to Re-build their better Democracy for the People of Sri lanka?
The vacuum of democracy will crated anarchism and Terriosim in long-run that term and conditions are bad for valued -oriented democracy, we has been safeguarded last 70 odd years.
/
raza / August 9, 2017
Catch the thief and make the statement, Please Hon.PM. Anyone can make a statement. But PM should make with evidence. PM is not an ordinary man or an ordinary Politician.
/
Md / August 9, 2017
Mr pm I also voted for you n I regret doing so.. pls clean your house before complaining about other ppl house..for a start begin with bond
/
Jayasingha Somaratne / August 9, 2017
Moda Haraka,
What is the difference of dollar then and now.
/
wadepiya / August 9, 2017
Two years gone. Not a single rouges of Rajapakse regime cought. It seems Ranil & Sira’s yahapalanaya are still trying to fool us and cover up. Just resign and give the job who can do it.
You guys are total loosers !
/
Nimal / August 14, 2017
Then nfind the bculprits,get the loot back and punish thejm.
/
Nimal / August 14, 2017
Then find the culprits,get the loot back and punish them.
/