Rishad calls for Parliament Select Committee

• ‘PSC will show who is lying and who is not’ – Rishad
• Says anyone can inspect his Assets and Liability statements 
• ‘Accusers knowingly or unknowingly safeguarding real terrorists’ – Rishad
  
   

In the wake of political allegations against him in the aftermath of the 21 April bombings, ACMC Leader Minister Rishad Bathiudeen has called for a Parliamentary Select Committee to clear his name. “The people who make allegations against me knowingly or unknowingly safeguard the real terrorists,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Cooperative Development, Skills Development and Vocational Training Rishad Bathiudeen, addressing the Parliament on Friday (10 May). 

“Various people made allegations against me saying I ran away from Sri Lanka when I was out of the country recently for official work. Some people and media made these allegations. They made the allegations without checking the facts about this tour. With some other Ministers in Oman, we discussed about a multi-billion-rupee project for Sri Lanka with Omani government officials. After I returned from Oman, they have stopped the allegations,” said Minister Bathiudeen.

“These allegations, too, were similar to the allegation that I ran away from Sri Lanka. These allegations had no basis, nor were supported by facts. S. B. Dissanayake holding press conferences lies in this regard. I have taken legal action against him. Since I did not accept his invitations during the 52-day coup, taking revenge from me in this way is playing cheap politics. However, I want to stress that I have given my Assets and Liabilities statements since the day I entered politics. Anyone can inspect these statements. I am also ready face any investigation. Today I call upon the Speaker to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to probe allegations made against me. Then we can find out who is lying and who is not. Therefore I call the Speaker to immediately appoint a PSC to investigate this. The people who make allegations against me knowingly or unknowingly safeguard the real terrorists and fundamentalists. Their actions result in myself highlighted while the attention on the real terrorists shifts. We are strong believers of Islam. Allah does not approve terrorism nor fundamentalism. I am profoundly shocked of the loss of lives due to this terrorism and fundamentalism. I express my condolences to the dead. I wish speedy recovery for the injured. I bow my head with gratitude to all who are committed to peace and reconciliation in this difficult moment,” he added.