Protests demand exposure of bond scam thieves

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Voice Against Corruption organization gathered opposite the Presidential Secretariat demanding that those responsible for the bond scam be exposed and brought to justice. The group of protesters demanded the details included in the report submitted by the Presidential Commission appointed to inquire into the issuance of treasury bonds to be revealed to the public. Convener to the Voice Against Corruption, Wasantha Samarasinghe shared his opinion who was at the scene. He noted that it has been a year and two months since the report was compiled by the presidential commission. Yet no steps were taken regarding the matter. He noted that officials like Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sujeewa Senasinghe are still at their offices attending to their day to day activities as if nothing mischievous had occurred. He argued that the president has a list of names, to whom funds valued at Rs. 1196mn were distributed through a W M Mendis & Company account and information on the distribution of Rs. 3250mn from 26 accounts by Arjun Aloysius. He noted that it was the president's opportunity to fulfill his duty as the president by exposing all the intelligence compiled by the presidential commission on the bond scam. He added that Arjun Mahendran should be brought back to Sri Lanka so he can answer for his crimes. He also noted that it was not a United National Party meeting at the Central Bank as the UNP party members stated back then. He added that UNP Chairman Minister Malik Samarawickrama, UNP Secretary Kabir Hashim, and Assistant Leader of the UNP Ravi Karunanayake visited the Central Bank to strategize the scam, with the intention of procuring funds for the UNP. He stressed that ultimately these funds were distributed to groups across the country including members of the opposition. He again noted that all of the names of these perpetrators are included in the report which was submitted by the bond commission and demanded the president to expose them. Meanwhile, the National Freedom Front held a silent demonstration opposite the Central Bank today(February 27). Mohammed Muzammil, media spokesperson of National Freedom Front noted that the economy of the country is at risk. He added that the perpetrators of the bond scam mentioned in the report should be arrested. "The law is not exercised" he concluded.

---