By H. L. D. Mahindapala –
H. L. D. Mahindapala
Sri Lankans are now living in the very early days of the promised “ideal country” which, according to the Manifesto of Maithripala Sirisena – Ranil Wickremesinghe – Champika Ranawaka government, will be created within six years.
The attention of the readers is drawn to the following two edited news items to indicate the early trends of this path-breaking political journey. Please note the date “January 29” which is most relevant to both news items.
News Item 1: The Daily Mirror (January 13, 2015) : “The Mini-Budget of the new Government’s 100-day programme will be presented in Parliament on January 29 with a relief package for the people as promised in the run-up to the presidential election, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said today.
“After assuming duties at his office at the Government Treasury complex yesterday, the minister said the mini budget would also contain proposals to reduce prices on 10 essential commodities including fuel.
“The people gave a mandate to this government to bring about a palpable change in the system of governance and for a stable economic which was drifting aimlessly. ….
The minister said the Maithripala administration was not looking at minimising corruption but at eliminating it fully.
“Therefore, acts such bribery, obtaining huge commissions between 20% and 50% and other forms of corruption will not be tolerated under any circumstance. Corrupt officials will be severely dealt with irrespective of their political affiliation and status. Officials need not be subservient to anyone under this administration,” he said.
“We criticised the Rajapaksa regime while in the opposition and now it is our turn to practice what we preached,” the minister said.
News Item 2: Ceylon Today (November 14, 2014): “It was alleged in the Colombo High Court yesterday (13) that United National Party (UNP) MP Ravi Karunanayake had actively facilitated the transfer of Rs 390 million to Sri Lanka,…
by infamous Sri Lankan American and former hedge fund manager and billionaire, Raj Rajaratnam. It was alleged that Karunanayake was directly involved in this fraud and the exchange controller had questioned him on three occasions about it.
The former Additional Exchange Controller revealed that three million US dollars were received by a local private bank and Ravi Karunanayake intervened to collect the funds.
This came to light during cross examination of the former Central Bank Additional Exchange Controller, Kumara Perera, by Senior State Counsel Dileepa Peiris.
The case was taken up before the Colombo High Court Judge Devika Livera De Tennekoon.
The case was postponed until 29 January 2015, on which date the accused were ordered to be present in Court.
As stated earlier, what is important is the date, January 29, 2015. Obviously, the Finance Minister, Karunanayake, can’t be present in Parliament to present his mini-budget on January 29 and simultaneously be at the High Court to face the charges against him.
The fixing of one date for two events raises a few questions:
Q 1: Why was January 29 fixed as the date to present the mini-budget in Parliament when Karunanayake knew that he was due to appear in Court to face charges on that very day?
Q2: What is so special about January 29? Why not January 28? Or 30?
Q 3: Is this a ruse to get a postponement of the trial?
Q4: Is the inevitable postponement a sign of things to come?
Q5: Is this a crafty tactic to interfere with the course of justice?
Q6: Will there be attempts to cover-up the case?
Q7: As some of the key departments handling this case (example: Exchange Control) come under the Finance Ministry will there be pressure brought to manipulate/cook the evidence in courts? Remember, some of the files related to the administration of the CWE under Karunanayake went up in smoke?
Q8: Is this going to be the first of many cases that are likely to recur in due course to undermine the independence of the judiciary?
Q9: More importantly, why was Karunanayake facing serious financial irregularities in the High Court appointed as Finance Minister of the promised “ideal country” of My-3-pala-naya?
Q10: In appointing Karunanayake as Finance Minister – the epicenter of corruption and mismanagement – was due consideration given to his known record in the private and public sectors?
Q11: As one of the Vice-Presidents of IDU can Ranil Wickremesinghe justify his nomination of Karunanayake to be the finance minister by giving another example of an accused facing serious financial irregularities in courts appointed as finance minister?
Q12: Last but not the least, why did President Maithripala Sirisena appoint Karunanayake as his finance minister when it was public knowledge that he was facing charges in courts? Is this a good start for his six-year journey to build the “ideal country”?
Samuel Jayaweera / January 14, 2015
If it is the case that he has to be reported to the court on the very issue as mentioned above – he could get that put off to the following week or later since the newly elected ministers have to win every minute for their 100-day program. WE COULD BETTER BE HAPPY ABOUT THE EFFORTS BEING MADE BY NEW GOVT SINCE THE DAY THEY TOOK THE OFFICE – BEING ALERT TO THEIR PROMISES MADE BEFORE: Instead of praises, this writer to write in this way and making it a big issue is more than pathetic I would say. Earlier the man called ” Leela” uttered all kind of cow dung by his comments, now this man Mahindapala seems to have taken up LEELA’s role I feel. With the time moves – people will decide who are the newly elected persons to the govt and how they perform their duties. Now to see all their hard efforts and trying to judge in this way can bring only a harm rather than informing people.
/
AVB / January 14, 2015
Mahindapala,
What you say here in simple terms is that even the new Sinhalese regime is corrupted as much as your loved MR regime. How about handing over the total government leadership to Lanka Tamils and Muslims? Mahindapala, Are you getting heart attack by hearing this suggestion? I remember how much propaganda you did in Australia with SPUR to divide the country by splitting your venom against Tamils.
/
Boom Boom / January 14, 2015
UNP sycophants and shills (read Samuel jayaweera and all his avatars) are beginning to line up to support the new group of corrupt liars.
Soon Milinda Moragoda who owes Rs 500 million to the Central bank will join this crowd because they have too much to hide.
There can’t be good governance under a clicque that has been sucking the blood out of the economy for too long.
The good thing is their days are numbered. Rajitha Senaratna beware.
/
Srinath. Gunaratne / January 14, 2015
Samuel, under the yaha palanaya, Ravi must first clear his name through courts.
It is wrong to hand over the same ministry by which he has been accused of.
Looks like same corruption, with a different team,
/
Seelawathi / January 14, 2015
knowing only a handful of members from lanken poliics are truly correct while all others remain to be named after any kind of corrupt ones – do we have any good choice ? It is to see things relatvely – I have no doubt with JVP and JHU s close studies, this time, it will not be easy anyone to do monetary corrupted issues. New people of UNP are really powerful – their actions will not stay away even their colleaugues woudl not be able to deliver them as agreed upon.
/
Double standards / January 14, 2015
writer has raised very valid questions – Ravi K and gov should answer. how can such a corrupt man be appointed the Finance Minister- Ranil as usual has done a v. stupid thing trying to reward his loyalists. No option but to vote for JVP next election!
/
Ben Hurling / January 14, 2015
I have no reason to jump to the defence of Ravi K.
However, I am still waiting for Mahindapala’s damning article on Sajith P & his corrupt family. Will it ever be published? I doubt it.
There you have Mahindapala’s journalism in a nutshell.
Cheers!
PS: Is Mahindapala ambushing Ravi K now in order to clear the way for Sajith P’s rise within the UNP?
/
Amarasiri / January 14, 2015
H. L. D. Mahindapala -Medamulanala Mahinda Rajapaksa (MaRa) Shill and Whitewasher
“Sri Lankans are now living in the very early days of the promised “ideal country” which, according to the Manifesto of Maithripala Sirisena – Ranil Wickremesinghe – Champika Ranawaka government, will be created within six years.”
What did Medamulana Mahinda Rajapaksa , his Family and Cronies create?
A Divided, corrupt Family Dictatorship with no accountability and Law and order.
Why not answer the questions Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, the JVP Leader with a Degree in Physics, and probably with an IQ greater than 125
is asking.
Priority is to Stop Mahinda Rajapakse, then Common Candidate – Anura Kumara Dissanayake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWODsikBwpw
JVP press conference today (09.01.2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eCCl4itO-Xo
Anura Dissanayake 2014.09.12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCYWwi9XTew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=esQxTuNfhsM
/
godaya / January 15, 2015
yes are you asking us to handover our country to idiot like JVP leader. Probably you were not at the time when they were killing thousand of innocent Sri Lanka. Forget about, we don’t want to see JVP bas.. in sri Lankan politics and people must kick such a tartars out from sri lanka. Don’t talk about his education and those JVP goons ruined everyone’s carrier at university. They study only 6 month out of three year of the university.
/
Ambedkhar Reborn / January 14, 2015
It is a Judicial matter. So let the courts deal with it in an independent manner.
Under the past regime how Sarath Fonseka was fixed ? How Shiromi Bandaranayake was treated and impeached ?
Remember Sarath N Silva’ s confessions on 2 issues ( Tsunami & merger )
Please do not jump the gun. There is no more censorship and the media freedom is back.
No more white vans. There is going to be no more victims like Lasantha.
So do not sling mud be responsible and accountable.
Former SL journalists are urged to come back to SL your motherland.
/
K. C. John / January 14, 2015
A case of “deploying a crook to catch a crook”?
A kingdom where MR, Nivaard Cabraal and P. B. Jayasundera reigned supreme with all their false projections, figures and embezzlement!
Interesting, interesting….
/
Sapumal / January 14, 2015
Mr. Mahindapala, good try. We could have kept quiet if someone else raze these questions. But you have no any ethical or justifiable background raise these or any other questions about good governance. You are writing on behalf of defeated power hungry thieves. Remember your role during the premadasa era? Go and see Dayan for advise.
/
Saman / January 14, 2015
This old man must be hospitalized immediately.
His metal health has been deteriorated badly.
Because of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s historic defeat and unprecedented lost, this old man has completely lost his mental ability.
Mahindapala now you must remember that your BOSS is in a vulnerable plight which at any time he would be brought to justice.
Mahinda rajapaksa has no extravagant and gigantic power.
He has no unprecedented security.
Now Mahinda Rajapaksa is completely lost.
No any henchman around him.
DITTHA DHAMMA VEDANIYA KAMMA.
The fruition of the bad karma he did during his tenure has arrived him to suffer.
Thousands of people were intimidated and physically and mentally destroyed by Rajapaksa now Mahinda Rajapaksa must pay the price back with harsh punishment.
Mahindapala you immediately must go to lunatic hospital.
You must stay there until your last breath.
/
Jabberwocky / January 14, 2015
Mahindapala – why were you silent when the Tsunami funds were banked in your hero’s bank account, not to mention the myriad other crooked deals that fattened his innumerable accounts abroad? Stop being a sanctimonious worm and face the reality of the moment rather than indulge in your hypocritical verbal diarrhea.
/
Kettikaran / January 14, 2015
Whatever the allegations and Ravi K’s defences the right to question an alleged massive financial fraud should be thoroughly and transparently investigated. At least from now on the law must be made to remain supreme without fear or favour, irrespective of who is involved. Under no circumstances should the Sirisena-Ranil K administration interfere with the judicial process in this Case.
Kettikaran
/
Matilda Ellepola / January 14, 2015
yeah yeah.. this Pala have a point here.
then again, this amount is just peanuts for the Rakapaksha clan as they may get this amount in a single DAY at office from kickbacks and other mafia deals.
You cannot expect any of these politicos are saints if not there is any mechanism like a Independent commission for corruption that should be independent from any of the executive or legislative procedures.
This Pala and other Pala’s need to raise awareness of developed counties to have independent commissions and MaRA was to dissolve all these independent bodies like Polic/Elections/Press commissions.
I really cannot understand a bloke this is Marisi-Pala, living in a first world country do not raise awareness and process to eradicate corruption and just mention single cases like this for just show hatred among people.
/
Selwyn / January 14, 2015
100days interim Govt.
Pension related Parlimentarians support until end of 5 year term on April 18/28, 2015.
Interim Ministers with “soiled hands” appointed with a purpose/need by their respective leaders.
Others to prove efficiency themselves.
Thus, all pro party commentators
/
Lasanda / January 14, 2015
Don’t forget this is only a temp regime… He is going home very soon…..
/
Pakis Pettiya / January 14, 2015
Why was Ravi K fired from Hayleys? fraud?What about him and Lal Wickremetunge brother of Lasantha W playing hell with CWE when he was trade minister. Quite disappointed at this appointment.
/
mechanic / January 14, 2015
Ah about CWE, Look those files are no more. They were all caught in a fire. This time all would be evidence in the finance ministry will be under y(j)aha-palanaya.
/
jinkers / January 14, 2015
How come this man who has been sleeping with the Devil all this while is suddenly complaining about foul smell coming from the other side.
/
BBS Rep / January 14, 2015
Do not worry about who is exposing the crims here. The messenger is unimportant, but the message.
We must not let the new government put one step out of the path of responsible democratic governence. Knowing the calibre of all our politicians it will not be long before MS and his cronies will start on the slippery slope ride. We must reign him in and expose every error or fraud. Must try and keep the bastards honest.
/
jenn / January 14, 2015
This Guy has to be put in Angoda..
The 3 M US$ there was nothing wrong with it . Any one including U and Me are allowed to receive and pay to whom ever we want. If Raj Gave Ravi 3 m That is their personal transaction as long as it is not Drugs, Laundered , funds from Terrorism. ( This transaction happened long before raj was convicted ). Its was all a political witch hunt by the MARA regime and any fool will know that.
Its time some one sue’s these kind of idiots for what ever they are worth and drive them to their Graves sooner than later
/
gamini / January 14, 2015
Jenn,
The funds were transferred to the country with the full knowledge of the Central Bank for the purchase of Union Bank shares. Nexia Corporate Co. were the Secretaries. Although MR got the Legal Dept to file charges they could not proceed for one thing that the matter was dismissed by Court earlier and taking up again was was bad in Law, (Rest Jude Carta). Besides Ravi Karu is in possession of a letter of acknowledgement of the transfer of funds from the Central Bank itself and the matter ends there.
You old fossil Mahindapala, Walapaya Godapaya, why don’t you ho0nestly shut your gab?
This Bugger is one of those who spread the canard that Ranil can never succeed. ‘Ranilta Ba’. Ranil has proved all you buggers are wrong. Be happy that Ranil is not a vengeful character as your MR. If so you buggers will be six feet under by now. Bloody mother F…..s!
/
mechanic / January 14, 2015
Its still five days on the piggy back ride you bugger gaminiya. Come April 23rd we’ll see Ranil’s metal at the parliamentary elections.
What is imperative right now however is to deliver what was promised by My3 in his 100 day program and other listings in leaflets that were delivered to our homes during his election campaign. In the meantime, how My3 deals with the demands by his new buddies, jihadists, ellamists and mad elephants is just academic to us.
/
Backlash / January 15, 2015
Gamini,
If the remitter of the funds in New York is to allege the transfer was done to buy shares in a particular institution,
while the beneficiary (in this case Ravi K) defrauded the
funds, without giving effect to the original purpose, and to his benefit abusing trust – then there is a case for criminal breach.
Ravi K, from the beginning, is a guy with a chequered history, whom such a gentleman as Ranjith Wijewardena said always nursed
“Presidential ambitions” ??? What happened to that once successful
millionaire in a shipping-freight brokering company – who invited
Ravi into the company – will prove interesting reading. That poor man is now virtually in the streets.
While acknowledging the man’s dedication to the UNP one must be careful in selecting men of a dubious past to high positions. Ravi’s record, while being Minister in charge of the CWE, saw that old service institution being destroyed. This fact is one that should have been used to keep Ravi K from positions of influence that involve the interest of the nation. It is noted the appointment is only for a 100 days. Let’s hope necessary inferences will be drawn at the right time. As that great FBI man Edgar Hoover once said “there can be no such thing as a slightly crooked man in public service”
Backlash
/
JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / January 14, 2015
MAHINDA PAALA.
ANEY YAKO!.
We won the War, Not the Gam Kabaraya, Ma Ra Jarapassa and His Clan.
This Ma Ra Jarapassa and His Clan Only sold the War,
And Got benefited from everything’s They Put their hand.
Then The Ma Ra Jarapassa and His Clan After “Yuddhen” Started “Suddhe Dennda”.
Only one Letter Changes, “YUDDHE To SUDDHE”.
They Are the THIEVES Of Public Property And Resources.
So Somebody Who support those crooks are also Thieves.
Then, YOu also become a Thief.
We have to get them Punished and rid of them.
Maney of the thieves already ran away from Sri lanka.
But Hon Maithree will catch them with Gam Kabraya!.
You Say that
“The former Additional Exchange Controller revealed that three million US dollars were received by a local private bank and Ravi Karunanayake intervened to collect the funds”.
Yako!.
If that so, He bring in / Brought in foreign Money to sri Lanka.
Not pilfering Public Coffers Like Your Boss Ma Ra Jarapassa and His Clan.
That Ma Ra Jarapassa and His Clan, They Ransack the Sri Lanka treasury with that Cabba and Living Royal lives from People’s Blood.
They Are the THIEVES Of Public Property And Resources.
So Somebody Who support those crooks are also Thieves.
Then, YOu also become a Thief.
We have to get them Punished and rid of them.
Maney of the thieves already ran away from Sri lanka.
But Hon Maithree will catch them with Gam Kabraya!.
You Say that
“The former Additional Exchange Controller revealed that three million US dollars were received by a local private bank and Ravi Karunanayake intervened to collect the funds”.
Yako!.
If that so, He bring in / Brought in foreign Money to sri Lanka.
Not pilfering Public Coffers Like Your Boss Ma Ra Jarapassa and His Clan.
That Ma Ra Jarapassa and His Clan, They Ransack the Sri Lanka treasury with that Cabba and Living Royal lives from People’s Blood.
Let them Hang from KURAKKAN SAATAKAYA and Commit suicide, Bloody Vultures and Hyenas.
Remember that,
“One Who support the crooks and Thieves are also crooks and Thieves.
We have to get them Punished and rid of them”.
This Will be applicable to all,
Not only to the Ma Ra Jarapassa and His Clan, His Stooges and Goons like you.
“But to the Present day Politicians like Hon Maithreepala Sirisena and His Governing Part Also”.
/
Srinath. Gunaratne / January 14, 2015
Look, this is the new beginning of the democracy, find the honest comments from Amare. A grand father justifying the new corruption! Way to go buddy, Abuse someone when you do not have decent fact to reply, This what exactly MR did
/
Lanka Liar / January 14, 2015
Please don’t take him seriously. He is suffering from Post RajaPakse syndrome. His write up is one of the symptoms. You also should understand the loss he has suffered. He put all his eggs in Mahindas Basket. That is why the he is affected so badly. Hope he will recover soon.
/
Laksiri / January 14, 2015
Mr. Mahindapala, – we all know from your past write-ups you always had biased opinions and favoured the former President shamelessly. The date, Jan 29th has been fixed by the combined opposition well before Mr. Karunayake was appointed as the Minister Finance and the date for presenting the mini budget is clearly stated on the 100 day programme.
Therefore, this proves that Mr. Karunanayake had nothing to do with the date and it is a mere coincidence. Well if he is guilty of an offense, let the court decide even on a subsequent date and punish him. However, unlike how you kept quiet, when the previous regime plundered billions, we as citizen of this country would not keep silent and permit even the new government to sweep them under the carpet.
/
Vibhushana / January 14, 2015
The truth of the matter is Ravi Karunakayake is a Kochikadae Tamil Nationalist. The best place for him is in the TNA.
He pretends to be a Sinhala liberal by being part of UNP. His connection to Tamil Nationlists abroad is why no one trusts the UNP. Raj Rajarantum as well as people like Charles Gnanakoon are operating in shadows of UNP influencing its policy making. Rajarantum is in jail for insider trading as well as funding LTTE terrorism.
Charles Gnanakoon is an interesting character. He was in Ceylon when Kadiragamar was assassinated. The assassin shot Kadiragamar from the neighboring house. This house is owned by a Tamil batch mate of Charles Gnanakoon who lives in USA. The assassin had made a special rig to mount his gun. He would not have made such as elaborate contraption without detailed measurements of the room. There is absolutely no way for the home owner not have known of the plan.
The BBS Ganasara is also connected to Ravi Karunanayake. It was Ravi who sent Ganasara to Italy for the indoctrination. BBS was clearly tasked to bring Rajapaske govt as well as Buddhists into disrepute internationally.
What Mahindapala says about Ravi K. is absolutely true. He has a court case where he transferred money from a known LTTE financier.
Ranil is a plonker who sees no evil hears no evil. My3 is the man for this. Ravi K should not hold such an important portfolio with his background.
/
thondamannar / January 14, 2015
Mini budget for 100 days?
Why? Does RK think he can be in power only for 100 days?
Isn’t this hoodwinking the State Servants & Pesioners for 100 days to get their vote?
After 100 days if not in power, no increase.
Your manifesto said Courts is a Supreme body & you were non-vocal during MR’s tennure because of this case. You were aware in advance your Court date and yet you set the Mini-Budget date for 29/Jan.
You guys came with a mandate for good governance and as such AS A GENTLEMAN (you appear to be)AS YOU SAY SHOULD HAVE SET A GOOD EXAMPLE BY BEING PRESENT IN COURT on the 29th.
All you people are the same. Abusing power to your advantage to be above the law.
/
dcn / January 14, 2015
M …..pala is a agent for MR ‘so publicity and therefore he is on lying iinterested in slinging mud. Ravi’s so called transaction is being inquired at the courts. What is wrong in a sum of Rs.390 million being brought into the country try?
Now why doesn’t this Mottapala worry about the Rs.1,400 Million supposedly missing from Divi Neguma a/c under Basil,
MR ‘ S intelligent super minister/brother who has now escaped to USA. This is in addition to many other frauds which will Come into light soon.
/
rohan / January 14, 2015
At least Ravi brought foreign funds into the country. Not siphon away.
/
R.M.B Senanayake / January 14, 2015
The case refers to a violation of the Exchange Control law and not a financial irregularity. The Exchange Control Act of 1950 is outdated. In fact the late N.U Jayawardene used to day that the biggest mistake he ever made in his public office was to pass this Act instead of allowing Exchange Control (which was introduced during the War under Defence Regulations) to lapse with the expiry of the Defence Regulations.
There are several clauses which are unnecessarily restrictive including the one about getting permission from the Exchange Control for inward remittances of foreign exchange. Surely why restrict inward remittances (except for money laundering) If we want to promote foreign direct investment the new Minister should consider amending such clauses or abolishing it altogether. It is a technical offence rather than a financial malpractice.
/
srinath.gunaratne / January 14, 2015
The case is exactly about looking into money laundering, What else did you think? The one who sent it Raj Rajaratnam is in US jail for insider trading.
/
Shiro / January 14, 2015
It is such a shame that the new government chose to appoint Karunanayake as one of the most prestigious posts in our government. This was a surprising, and disappointing, appointment, It is like getting a Fox to guard the Hen house. Surely they could have found a candidate with a clean record? We do not need to start a new era with a questionable official already in a high post.
/
namal / January 14, 2015
Did not Mahindapala hear or see the Jarapaksha’s highway robberies.Be patient give the new Govt time to do something,if they are bad,lets give them hell,till hold your bullshit.
/
george jilmart / January 14, 2015
This idiot’s mental faculties are deteriorating by the minute. Sleezy old a…licker, continue making a fool of yourself. It will be more appropriate for this slimeball to remove that western cap and wear the despot’s shasakaya which he also used as an amuday. Fits in better with your sick personality and warped mind.
/
K.A Sumanasekera / January 14, 2015
Mythree Palanaya has already kicked in big time.
Junior was seen in R&R with 40 PSD guards,
Even our brave CCD DIG ,would be reluctant to send his daughter there for a Chinese take out, let alone dining in that top level Cantonese Dig.
Ranil’s enforcer Ravi is now managing the kitty of our inhabitants, along side the Pension Fund of the ex Galleon Boss who is having a break in the US.
Now our Mahinde says, Ravi can’t attend Hultsdorf, because Ravi has more important business.
Fair enough.
Ravi is going to give our inhabitants the surprise of their life when he presents the revised Rajapaksa budget.
I mean when he deducts that 20 % 50 % which he mentioned as the commissions from the expenditure , it will be a massive budget surplus… Right.
How cool is that.
Cameron, Harper, Bunky Moon and even Suren Surendran wouldn’t need to chip in to give our inhabitants a good time, who are heading to the Sinhala Tamil New Year.
And most importantly Ravi as the Custodian can always use the LKR 130 Million in Kirullapne, as an over draft.
And Galleon Raja wouldn’t mind as long as he gets a bit more than the current Money Market rate.
/
R.M.B Senanayake / January 14, 2015
It seems to me that it is a technical violation- not reporting the inward remittance to the Controller of Exchange.The Exchange Control on inward remittances is uncalled for except where there has been money laundering or terrorist financing. Are these the charges? I don’t think so.
The late N.U Jayawardene used to say that the biggest mistake he made in a public post was to pass the Exchange Control Act and regretted it. Exchange Control was introduced during the war under the Defense Regulations which lapsed upon the end of the war and our Independence. Normally Exchange restrictions are on outward remittances to curb the outgoings of foreign exchange. The new Minister of Finance should take a long hard look at the outmoded Exchange Control Act if he wants to promote foreign investment into the country – something we need badly after MR’s debt spurge.
/
Truth / January 14, 2015
Mahindapala, every investor in the Colombo Stock Market knows that what was a perfectly legal transfer of funds through the banking channels for an investment in the stock market was used by Nivard Cabraal & Mahinda Rajapksa to sling mud at the opposition MP Ravi karunanayake.
You are one of those ex Sri Lankans enjoying the good life in a foreign country, while poisoning the minds of people living in Sri Lanka. People like you and your equivalents in the Tamil community should be shunned by Sri Lankan media organisations, to build a future based on good governance and democracy.
/
Kuttan / January 14, 2015
So what is Raj sent Ravi K 3mn USD? How does this prove to be fraud? Ravi K is not the straightest man in the govt. However, the finance ministry is a position where he is least likely to be able to practice anything untoward (maybe why they put him there?)
Better than the USD 3Mn of public funds MR would have spent plastering just Colombo with gigantic cut outs of himself had he won…
/
Govinda / January 14, 2015
“After assuming duties at his office at the Government Treasury complex yesterday, the minister said the mini budget would also contain proposals to reduce prices on 10 essential commodities including fuel.”
The general masses are expecting a friendly budget. The Brent Oil price has gone down below USD 50 and what MR said was its above USD 100 and no concessions given to the masses. Hope we get a good deal on 29 Jan 2015.
/
Pot Shot / January 14, 2015
Mahindapla,
I support the present Government strongly and I agree with you about Ravi.K. I hated your pervious Government because of all the corruption, Nepotism and Cronyism. Personally I have nothing against Ravi.K but it is public knowledge that he embarrassed the previous UNP regime with his corrupt ways.
I HOPE RAVI. K IS READING ALL THE SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED IN SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT HIM. IF HE IGNORES IT LIKE THE PREVIOUS REGIME HE WILL ALSO BE BROUGHT DOWN LIKE THE PREVIOUS REGIME.
WE THE PUBLIC ARE WATCHING HIM.
/