Muslim ministers in no hurry to return: Rishad

Wednesday, 3 July 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

"Rival politicians accusing me failed to file any complaints so far": Rishad
"People will understand the truth in future": Rishad

Resigned Muslim ministers are not in any hurry to return to their former ministries despite requests from President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, MP Rishad Bathiudeen said yesterday.

MP Rishad Bathiudeen speaking to media yesterday

MP Bathiudeen was addressing the media after giving a statement to the Organised Crimes Prevention Division (OCPD), Colombo. “Both the Prime Minister and President called us to return to our Ministries and take back our portfolios. I previously complained about false media statements published against me and today they called me to come and give more details about them. I have not committed any offences and despite this various people accused me,” said Bathiudeen.

When the media questioned him on the Opposition’s allegation that the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) worked to clear him of allegations made against him, Bathiudeen pointed out he had always maintained the stance that those guilty of the Easter Sunday attacks should be punished.

“I am an MP who has not committed any of the alleged offences. I stress that all persons guilty of the bombings should be legally punished. This is what my community too is believing in. People who accuse me with a political bias have so far failed to file any complaint against me with the police or CID. They accused me saying that I took over 3000 acres in my name and later said it was over 8000 acres. At the PSC I clarified that that neither I nor my family own 3000 or 8000 acres as claimed by them, and if they find that I own such, I invite the Government to take possession of it. Rather than claiming in media on a daily basis that I took over lands, why can’t they file a police complaint and prove it in the courts of law?” he said. Previously on 28 June, Bathiudeen testified before the PSC. After his statement was concluded, quoting a letter sent by Acing IGP Senior DIG C. D. Wickramaratne to Dhammika Dasanayake, Secretary General of Parliament, the Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of Committees of Parliament J. M. Ananda Kumarasiri announced, “No evidence has been found to link Minister Rishad Bathiudeen to the series of bomb blasts of 21 April, nor any terrorist activity, in investigations conducted so far by the Investigations Committee comprising of CID, FCID, and Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau (CFIB), established to investigate complaints against Minister Bathiudeen and Governors M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Azath Salley.”