Tough stand taken by SLFP on bond issue

By Chathuri Dissanayake

State Finance Minister and SLFP member Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena yesterday insisted that investigations into the Central Bank bond scam should take precedence over other corruption cases due to the sheer magnitude of the fraud.

 “The SLFP, as a party and as sitting members of the Government, we have stated our position on the matter. Our members sitting in COPE have been clear on the matter and they have been clear on their stand,” he said, highlighting that the SLFP had upheld both the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) report and Auditor General’s report on the matter.  

Stressing that the SLFP would ensure the strongest possible legal action over the scam, Abeywardena said that the President would decide on how to handle the issue after the special committee appointed by the SLFP Constitutional Council gave their recommendations.  

The special committee met for the first time yesterday, with plans to submit their recommendations regarding the best course of action to be taken by the President within 15 days.  

“There are two things that we will consider. According to their own accounts, the profits made have increased from Rs. 900 million to Rs. 5.2 billion. Accordingly, for every hour they make Rs. 750,000. There is no other argument regarding the issue. This is enough to know there was malpractice,” he said. 

The Minister also said that the SLFP had confidence in the current Central Bank Governor to take the right action after the Monetary Board meeting scheduled for today to discuss the COPE committee report, their internal report and the Prime Minister’s committee report. He said the Governor would also appoint an independent committee to investigate the issue.