{"id":184613,"date":"2017-11-22T00:00:14","date_gmt":"2017-11-21T18:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=184613"},"modified":"2017-11-24T21:34:47","modified_gmt":"2017-11-24T16:04:47","slug":"you-sir-no-sir-not-i-sir-who-then-sir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/you-sir-no-sir-not-i-sir-who-then-sir\/","title":{"rendered":"You Sir! No Sir, Not I Sir, Who Then Sir?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka<\/a> –<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Sanja De Silva Jayatilleka<\/p><\/div>\n

The nation waited with bated breath as the PM, in his capacity as Minister in charge of the Central Bank, was called before the Bond Commission<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The people of Sri Lanka had seen the ferocious efficiency with which the inquiry was conducted by the representatives of the Attorney General\u2019s department, turning Mr. Dappula de Livera and DSG Yasantha Kodagoda into popular heroes of a grateful public, seeing their skill and determination in their search through the complex transactional twists and turns of the Bond Scam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This very determination seems to have eliminated them from being the persons who would question the PM. Citing protocol accorded to the PM attending a Commission of Inquiry, the Attorney General himself questioned the PM instead. The courtesy extended to the PM included desisting from addressing any follow up questions that would force the PM to go beyond the limits of what he seemed to have planned to say on the day. <\/span><\/p>\n

It was a cakewalk for the PM, unlike for Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who was forced to resign as a result of what emerged from the questioning by the Attorney General\u2019s department at the Bond Commission.\u00a0<\/span>This was a fate that did not befall the other 3 Ministers who attended the inquiry, by whatever magic that ensured that neither Mr. De Livera nor Mr. Kodagoda would question them. The people understood the limits imposed on the Commission, but were glad that it did its best within them. <\/span><\/p>\n

Going by reports of the PM\u2019s replies to the written questions, and his replies at the Commission itself, he seemed to have absolved himself of any wrong doing. In fact, he hardly admits there has been any wrong doing by anybody at all. <\/span><\/p>\n

If there were, he seemed to suggest that the Commissioners should look in the direction of Arjuna Mahendaran or Ravi Karunanayake. However he generously concludes that he is sure Mr. Mahendran \u201cacted in good faith\u201d. What a relief for the beleaguered public.\u00a0<\/span>Not so bad then, if we were scammed \u201cin good faith\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

If the PM is innocent of any wrongdoing, it is nerve-wracking to think that our country is in the hands of someone of such enormously bad judgment. The large contingent of UNF Ministers who appeared in support of him at the Bond Commission, seem determined to celebrate him unconditionally, including his bad judgment. <\/span><\/p>\n

The PM\u2019s replies are of great use to all who want to learn how to avoid blame. Just make sure it was someone else\u2019s responsibility while declaring that you had complete faith in them. Examples abound.<\/span><\/p>\n

Appointment of the Governor of CBSL<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Was it the PM who in early January 2015, invited Mr. Arjuna Mahendran to accept appointment as the Governor of the CBSL?<\/span><\/p>\n

The PM replies that:<\/span><\/p>\n