CID probes Navin’s bribery allegation
The government yesterday said that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) would conduct an investigation into former minister Navin Dissanayake’s claim that he had been offered Rs. 100 million by the government to remain in the UPFA coalition when he was about to cross over to the UNP on Sunday.
Addressing a media conference at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party head office, Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had informed them at Temple Trees on Wednesday night that he would order the CID to probe the serious allegation.
“CID would record a statement from Nuwara Eliya District MP Navin Dissanayake regarding his statement that the government had tried to bribe him with Rs. 100 million, but he rejected the offer”, he said.
“The bankrupt Sirisena alliance fearing defeat at the Jan. 08 election is spreading false stories.”
A separate investigation would be conducted into the allegation that a large amount of foreign funds had been given to the Opposition,” Minister Seneviratne said.
Puttalam District MP Arundika Fernando said that since Navin Dissanayake had made that statement he should reveal who had made the offer to him to the bribery commission or any other respective body to probe it.
At a separate media briefing, Irrigation and Water Resources Development Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva also challenged MP Dissanayake to reveal the names of those who had offered him Rs. 100 million to remain in the government.
Former Minister Navin Dissanayake told the media on Tuesday that the ruling UPFA offered him Rs. 100 million to stay in the government.
“If I wanted I could have asked for a higher amount than Rs. 100mn, but I rejected the offer on the spot and left the government” he said adding that they would probe all bribes under a presidential commission appointed by Maithripala Sirisena after his victory at the January 08 election.
(The Island)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka and United States discuss Economic Support and Reforms April 19, 2024
- Israeli missile strikes Iran amid escalating Middle East tensions April 19, 2024
- President says he will build a Sri Lanka that the youth aspire to April 19, 2024
- NPP presents 7-point pledge on Easter Sunday Attack to Cardinal Ranjith April 18, 2024
- Dialog Axiata to acquire Bharti Airtel’s telecom operations in Sri Lanka April 18, 2024
I think it’s a novel way of giving oneself some importance in the political field. Putting a price tag on oneself.
Poor Navin has rejected Rs.100 Million bribe to serve under Maithree “Bodhisathwa.” How wonderful it would be to have a political party in Sri Lanka with all members being “Bodhisathwas.”
I wonder if his father also resisted the temptation to take a bite out of the Mahaweli Acceleration Projects, in those days.
This good-for-nothing fellow has accepted the bribe of USA to cross-over to UNP, his father’s party to which he belonged once. USA’s bribe was bigger, with green card, house in USA and free education for him and his children. He fell for it. Good riddance! GROBR!
The sums allegedly being offered are astronomical.
This young man coming from a family of relatively well reputable politicians appears to be delusional too.
Firstly, if he was offered a bribe to stay where is now, he should have picked up the phone to the IGP and registered a complaint.
Secondly, if he wishes to take a gamble and join the Common Candidate bandwagon for whatever reason it may be, he should, as a leader, share his thoughts with the community and announce his move and demonstrate how his move will help his constituency.
To be honest, I simply conclude all politicians right from top to Pradeshiya Sabha members, are a bunch of Idiots.
And those of us who keenly follow the activities of politicians and spend time in writing blogs, are a bunch of greater idiots.