The Supreme Court’s findings on Mahinda Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, along with P.B. Jayasundara, Ajith Nivard Cabral, and others, took center stage during a parliamentary session today (21).
The inquiry under 27/2 sought clarification on how the next government would adhere to the decision made by this group, accused of orchestrating measures that led to the economic downturn.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, addressing the Parliament, expressed grave concerns about the group allegedly responsible for bankrupting the economy, continuing to enjoy public funds and privileges. He insisted on seeking the government’s explanation regarding the Supreme Court’s decision, which outlined charges including the misappropriation of nearly $7.9 billion from the dollar reserve at the end of 2019.
The court decision cited offenses such as misappropriation of public property, criminal breach of trust, and violations under the Public Property Act No. 12 of 1982. Premadasa, in his 27/2 question, pressed the Attorney General on whether advice would be given to transfer the cases and whether the lost sum of Rs. 423,684 million due to tax amendments would be recovered from the respondents.
The parliamentary session, however, descended into chaos as Pohottu MPs worked aggressively to obstruct the opposition leader. State Minister Sanath Nishantha, physically took the papers from Premadasa’s hand and handed it to Polonnaruwa District Member of Parliament Jagath Samarawickrama.*
The disruption prompted the Speaker to adjourn the House for five minutes. Upon resumption, despite ongoing interruptions, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa persisted and managed to reiterate his question. After the adjournment and the debate resumed, he finished by asking the same question again amid interruptions.
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