No-confidence motion considered against Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe

Friday, 11 August 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The ruling United National Party has reportedly considered submitting a no-confidence motion against Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe for blocking investigations on fraud and corruption during the previous regime.

Political sources say there is a plan to bring in a no-confidence motion against Minister Rajapakshe and several UNP members met with the Prime Minister in this regard.

According to sources, Government ministers as well as Opposition MPs have already signed the no-confidence motion and it is said to be handed over to the Speaker on Friday or early next week.

Allegations have surfaced that the Justice Minister and the Attorney General’s office are impeding the proceedings of fraud and corruption probes against the politicians and top officials of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime.

Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Rajitha Senaratne today questioned the lack of progress by the Attorney General’s Department on cases investigated and filed by the FCID against the former regime’s politicians and officials while taking quick measures to file charges against Yahapalana politicians.

He said the Government and the people expect the same efficiency from the AG’s Department on the former regime’s fraud and corruption cases and a probe on the Attorney General’s Department was also needed.

Speaking about Minister Rajapakshe’s statement that the Hambantota Port will be taken over by the Government, Minister Senaratne said the Justice Minister was breaching the collective responsibility of the Cabinet.

Minister Senaratne said Minister Rajapakshe’s statement will be taken up for discussion at the next Cabinet meeting and a decision will be made.

Minister Rajapakshe has reportedly said that the sale of Hambantota Harbour to the Chinese was wrong and he would not rest until he regained its ownership on behalf of the people.