Patali calls for probe on Rajapaksas, Cabraal over Hamilton deal. – Daily FT 12.09.2023
- Says nation’s recovery will remain elusive if there is no accountability for politicians and others responsible
- Accuses President of failing to take action against wrongdoers who led country to bankruptcy
- Claims as a result burden always falls on the ordinary man
The Eksath Janaraja Peramuna leader Patali Champika Ranawaka attending a public meeting in Maharagama yesterday urged the Government to conduct a probe into the case filed against Sri Lanka by the Hamilton Bank in St. Kitts & Nevis and its potential links to the Rajapaksas and former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivaard Cabraal.
Hamilton Reserve Bank, which holds more than $250 million of Sri Lanka’s 5.875% International Sovereign Bonds due July 25, filed the suit in June before a New York federal court seeking full payment of principal and interest.
“The nation’s recovery remains elusive unless there is accountability for the politicians, government officials, and unscrupulous business figures responsible for driving the country to financial ruin,’’ he said.
Ranawaka accused the current President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, of failing to take decisive action and asserted that, ultimately, it is the people who will have to bear the consequences of this failure.
“The burden never falls on the top class. It falls on the ordinary man,” he added. Ranawaka claimed the Rajapaksa clan is in fear of his new political movement and said it is their number one aim is to bring to book those who bankrupted the country. “They fear us to date. We are proud of that. However we have no hatred towards the Rajapaksa family,” he said.
The veteran politician said the time has come to unite in order to move forward. “Family bandysm and traditional politics cannot take this country forward. To progress, we must unite people under a new, strong ideology that can rejuvenate the country,” he noted.