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Protest against abduction of 2 farmers
on 18 November, 2008 14:40:47 | 434 times read
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The non-implementation of the 17th Amendment has denied the Bribery Commission - which has failed to carryout any major investigation in the past year - the ability to function impartially, said Rohana Gamage, a member of 'Corruption Watch.' The ex Lt. Col. of the Navy, who is now a member of the North Central Provincial Council, was speaking to the media on the new anti-corruption initiative in Colombo today (Nov. 18th).Other members of 'Corruption Watch', attorneys Shiral Laktilake and Ravi Jayawardena also attended the media briefing.Speaking here, Mr. Laktilake said, "Today marks an important day. Today marks the third anniversary since the introduction of Mahinda Chinthana. These policies promised to create a Sri Lanka free of corruption and irregularities."
He quoted from Mahinda Chinthana, "This earth and its vegetation is yours. But, they should be protected not only for your benefit but also for the benefit of future generations. A ruler is only a temporary trustee and not an owner of your children's heritage."
However, looking back after three years, public property and resources have gravely been subjected to corruption and irregularities, said Mr. Laktilake.
Commenting on Mihin Air, he said, "For Mihin Air, the budget has allocated Rs. 600 million. That money has to be spent not to uplift Mihin Air, but to pay for the losses it had suffered in the past three years. For example, Rs. 3.7 billion of public money has been wasted on Mihin Air. The Bank of Ceylon has released Rs. 1.7 billion from its public deposits."
"Today, the Bank of Ceylon does not have money for circulation. That is because of the Mihin Air deal. As a result, the banking interest rates have been raised."
"Also, Mihin Air has sent Lankaputra Bank, set up for small and medium classes, to bankruptcy. Today, Sri Lanka is the country with the highest rate of inflation in entire Asia. Pakistan's inflation is 14 per cent. Sri Lanka's inflation is 28 per cent. This is because of the corruption and malpractices. All of us have to pay for them today."
Attorney Jayawardena also addressed the media.
"Fuel prices are going up not because of the war, but because of the irregular deals in the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. This is specially so as a result of the recent agreements signed with financial institutions to keeping fuel prices at stable levels."
"Chartered Bank and Citibank were involved in a fuel hedging deal recently. But that was not in accordance with the recommendations to Minister Fowzie by a committee appointed by the cabinet in 2006. The cabinet approved hedging for a short period. But, the corporation chairman has exceeded it and gone for hedging until June next year."
"As a result, we should buy crude at a price between 125 and 145 dollars per barrel, despite lower world market prices. The agreement also makes it mandatory for the purchase of 200,000 barrels in a 12 month duration," he said.
According to Mr. Jayawardena, the government has to pay 300 million dollars - a sum equal to the total cost of construction of Hambantota Harbour - to Chartered Bank and Citibank within the next few months.
"Information available to me says the bonus of Chartered Bank's chief executive officer is 60 million. This year, he expects it to be 100 million."
"There is another official, I won't disclose his name. He is a Sri Lankan. He will also receive a similar amount as his bonus," alleged Mr. Jayawardena.
The most serious problem here is that we cannot buy oil at reduced rates, and the profit that should go to the government goes to foreign banks as payment, he added.
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