JO VOWS TO FILE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST RAVI

Ravi and govt. trying to blame MR for the bond fiasco Issued gazette notifications not acceptable

The joint opposition yesterday said it would file cases against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in the Supreme Court next week, regarding allegations made by him against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in connection with the issuance of the gazette notifications linked to the Central Bank (CB) bond issue.

Joint opposition MP Bandula Gunawardane told a media briefing that Minister Karunanayake had challenged Mr. Rajapaksa to take legal action against him and added that a leader like Mr. Rajapaksa was above such a challenge since he was the one who had taken up the challenge to end the 30-year long terrorism in Sri Lanka.

“Therefore, Mr. Rajapaksa does not need to take legal action against him, as the joint opposition, we will file many cases against him on the matter. The gazette notification was issued in January, 2015 in connection with the Appropriation Bill (2014-No.41). However, the issued gazette notification included details related to years 2011-2013. It is not acceptable,” he said.

He said Minister Karunanayake and the government were attempting to put the blame of the issue on Mr. Rajapaksa and former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, and to sweep the issue under the carpet. Meanwhile, he said it has been reported following an investigation, that the minister’s private media secretary had issued this gazette notification and added that Minister Karunanayake should immediately resign from his post for making such a fiasco. “It is a grave mistake to forge a signature and make a fraudulent gazette notification in such a manner. The wrongdoers should be punished under the law of the country and we are filing a case to nullify this fake gazette notification,” he said.