Bimal tables dossier of 50 cases in Parliament, says they date back to 2015
Minister Bimal Rathnayake tabled a list of 50 corruption, fraud and criminal cases involving former ministers, politicians, members of the Rajapaksa family and senior state officials in Parliament on Thursday (8), rejecting allegations that the government was pursuing political revenge against its opponents.
Rathnayake said the cases currently being investigated or pursued were not newly initiated by the present administration but originated from complaints and legal proceedings dating back to the 2015–2019 period.
He accused previous administrations of allowing investigations to be suppressed through political connections and influence.
The minister said the present government had instead given investigators the freedom to carry out their duties without political interference.
Rejecting accusations that the government was deliberately targeting opposition politicians, Rathnayake maintained that authorities were pursuing cases that had remained unresolved for years.
To support his argument, the minister tabled a 10-page document containing details of 50 cases involving prominent political figures, former government officials, police officers and businesspeople.
The list includes cases involving former ministers Johnston Fernando, Wimal Weerawansa, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Basil Rajapaksa, Rajitha Senaratne, Ravi Karunanayake, Prasanna Ranatunga, A.H.M. Fowzie, Bandula Gunawardana and Rohitha Bogollagama.
It also identifies cases and investigations involving members of the Rajapaksa family, including Namal Rajapaksa, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Rohitha Rajapaksa, Chamal Rajapaksa and Shashindra Rajapaksa.
Among the major financial controversies listed are the Central Bank bond transactions, the Krrish deal, the MiG aircraft procurement, the Divi Neguma funds case, the sil cloth distribution case and allegations concerning the Carlton Sports Network.
The document also refers to investigations and legal proceedings concerning the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, the killing of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen, the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda and attacks on journalists Keith Noyahr and Upali Tennakoon.
Other names appearing in the document include former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, businessman Arjun Aloysius, former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, former Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara and former presidential secretary Lalith Weeratunga.
- Former ministers and senior political figures
1. Johnston Fernando: Alleged misuse of 153 Sathosa employees for political activities, reportedly causing a loss of Rs. 40 million. The document lists five High Court case references dating from 2016.
2. Wimal Weerawansa: Allegations of acquiring Rs. 75.4 million in assets beyond his lawful income between 2010 and 2015. The document refers to a case filed in October 2017.
3. Mahindananda Aluthgamage: Alleged misuse of public funds involving the distribution of 14,000 carrom boards during the 2014 presidential election, reportedly causing a loss of Rs. 53.1 million.
4. Basil Rajapaksa: Allegations involving the expenditure of Rs. 2.991 billion from Divi Neguma funds to distribute roofing sheets during an election period. The document records a High Court acquittal and an appeal by the attorney general.
5. Rajitha Senaratne: Allegations of causing financial losses to the government through the leasing of the Modara Fisheries Harbour at an undervalued rate.
6. Ravi Karunanayake: Allegations relating to the 2016 Central Bank bond transactions and the occupation of a penthouse apartment without paying rent, with the document referring to Perpetual Treasuries.
7. Prasanna Ranatunga: A case involving an alleged demand for Rs. 64 million from a businessman over approval to fill land in Thalahena, Negombo. The document records a two-year suspended prison sentence, a Rs. 25 million fine and an appeal.
8. Priyankara Jayaratne : Alleged misuse of Rs. 9.1 million belonging to the Civil Aviation Authority and the granting of five unlawful appointments.
9. A.H.M. Fowzie: Allegations involving the personal use of a Land Cruiser provided by the Netherlands to the Disaster Management Ministry. The document records a guilty plea and the imposition of a suspended sentence and fine.
10. Sarana Gunawardena: Allegations involving unlawful vehicle rentals and misuse of public funds while serving as chairman of the Development Lotteries Board. The document records a conviction and sentence.
Rajapaksa family members and associated cases
11. Namal Rajapaksa: Allegations of money laundering involving Rs. 70 million reportedly received from India’s Krrish Group. The document refers to a Colombo High Court case filed in 2016.
12. Yoshitha Rajapaksa: Allegations concerning Rs. 234 million allegedly obtained unlawfully and used to establish the Carlton Sports Network (CSN).
13. Gotabaya Rajapaksa: Allegations concerning the use of Rs. 33.9 million belonging to the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation for the D.A. Rajapaksa memorial in Medamulana.
14. Shiranthi Rajapaksa: Investigations concerning transactions through the Siriliya Saviya Foundation and a Defender vehicle allegedly connected to the Wasim Thajudeen murder investigation.
15. Rohitha Rajapaksa: Allegations involving the misuse of public funds and state resources in connection with the SupremeSAT satellite project.
16. Chamal Rajapaksa: A complaint alleging the allocation of Ports and Shipping Ministry funds to projects without approval.
17. Shashindra Rajapaksa: Allegations of unlawfully distributing several acres of state land in the Mahiyanganaya area among associates.
18. Jaliya Wickramasuriya: Allegations of misappropriating US$332,000 during the purchase of a building for Sri Lanka’s embassy in Washington.
19. Udayanga Weeratunga: Allegations of financial fraud exceeding US$7 million in connection with the procurement of MiG-27 aircraft.
20. Nirupama Rajapaksa: Allegations concerning offshore assets and international bank accounts identified through the Panama and Pandora Papers. The document describes the matter as being at the investigation stage.
Senior government officials, police officers and financial figures
21. Lalith Weeratunga: The distribution of sil cloth using Rs. 600 million from Telecommunications Regulatory Commission funds during the 2014 presidential election period. The document refers to a conviction and subsequent appellate proceedings.
22. Anusha Palpita: Allegations concerning the unlawful use of TRC funds in the sil cloth distribution case, with the document referring to appellate proceedings.
23. Pujith Jayasundara: Allegations of failing to act on prior intelligence concerning the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. The document refers to an appeal before the Supreme Court.
24. Hemasiri Fernando: Allegations of serious neglect of official duties in connection with the failure to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks. The document refers to appellate proceedings.
25. Arjuna Mahendran: Allegations of improperly disclosing inside information and causing losses to the government during the February 2015 Central Bank bond auction.
26. Arjun Aloysius: Allegations concerning financial losses to the government through unlawful activities connected to the Central Bank bond transactions.
27. Kasun Palisena: Allegations of conspiracy and involvement in irregularities concerning Central Bank bond auctions.
28. Nalaka de Silva: Allegations of conspiring to assassinate former President Maithripala Sirisena and Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
29. Jayantha Wickramaratne: Allegations involving the destruction of pages from a police information book connected to investigations into the killing of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.
30. Anura Senanayake: Allegations of concealing evidence and falsely reporting the death of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen as a road accident.
Provincial councils, public institutions and other political figures
31. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake: Allegations involving irregularities amounting to Rs. 16 million in the purchase of uniform material for schools under the Uva Provincial Council.
32. S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon: Allegations of obtaining additional fuel while receiving official fuel allowances, causing losses to the government. The document records a conviction and sentence.
33. Piyasena Gamage: Allegations involving the transfer of land belonging to the Board of Investment at an undervalued price.
34. Bandula Gunawardana: Allegations of causing substantial financial losses to the government through rice imports conducted via Sathosa.
35. Mahinda Homagama: Allegations of unlawfully using Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment funds for promotional activities.
36. Rupavathy Ketheeswaran: Allegations concerning the unlawful distribution of dry rations and public funds while serving as a former district secretary in Kilinochchi.
37. Jayantha Fernando: Allegations involving the misappropriation of Rs. 15 million during the procurement of medical equipment for the Police Hospital.
38. Geetha Kumarasinghe: Legal proceedings concerning her holding parliamentary office while possessing dual citizenship. The document records a court decision resulting in the loss of her parliamentary seat.
39. Rohitha Bogollagama: Allegations involving the misuse of Foreign Affairs Ministry funds and official authority.
40. Kumara Welgama: Allegations of causing a Rs. 3.2 million loss through an unlawful appointment to the chairmanship of the Sri Lanka Transport Board.
Murder, disappearance and other criminal investigations
41. Wasim Thajudeen murder: Proceedings concerning the death of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen and allegations of destroying evidence connected to the killing.
42. Lasantha Wickrematunge murder: Investigations and legal proceedings concerning the killing of The Sunday Leader editor and allegations of concealing evidence.
43. Prageeth Eknaligoda disappearance: Proceedings concerning the alleged abduction and enforced disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.
44. Lalith and Kugan disappearance: Investigations concerning the disappearance of Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan in Jaffna.
45. Keith Noyahr assault: Proceedings concerning the abduction and torture of journalist Keith Noyahr.
46. Upali Tennakoon assault: Proceedings concerning the assault and attempted killing of former Rivira editor Upali Tennakoon.
47. Ravindra Samaraweera: The source identifies a former minister in connection with allegations of irregularities involving the sale of government rice stocks to the private sector at reduced prices.
48. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe: A complaint alleging interference with Attorney General’s Department activities concerning the Avant-Garde investigation.
49. Nissanka Senadhipathi: Allegations concerning the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition through a private security company and financial losses reportedly amounting to Rs. 11.4 billion.
50. Thilan Wijesinghe: Allegations of violating anti-corruption legislation through the award of contracts for state development projects outside approved procedures.
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