Ravi to be barred from carrying out duties as Assistant Leader of UNP: Kabir Hashim

A Committee appointed by the Prime Minister and Leader of the United National Party, Ranil Wickramasinghe has decided that MP Ravi Karunanayake should not exercise any duties as an Assistant Leader of the United National Party (UNP) till the Attorney General and the Bribery Commission decides if to file legal action against him. It has also decided that if such legal action is initiated the decision should be in place until the conclusion of the legal proceedings.

According to General Secretary of the UNP, Minister Kabir Hashim the Report of the Commission of Inquiry on the issuance of Treasury Bonds, there are no findings against any member of the United National Party including Ravi Karunanayake in regard to the issuance of Treasury Bonds. “However, the Commission of Inquiry has decided that the Attorney General and the Bribery Commission should determine whether action should be taken against Mr Ravi Karunanayake, MP, under the Bribery Act or other appropriate legislation in respect of their findings that he had derived a substantial benefit from the lease payments made by Walt and Row Associates (Pvt) Ltd., which is an associate company of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd., which is owned and controlled by the same persons who owned and controlled Perpetual Treasuries Ltd.” he said.

He also pointed out that the Commission has also stated that the Attorney General or other appropriate authorities could also consider whether the evidence given by Ravi Karunanayake is shown to have been incorrect and in that case whether there are grounds for prosecution under Section 179 and or under Section 188 of the Penal Code or other relevant provisions of the law, read with Section 9 the Commission of Inquiry Act No. 17 of 1948.

The Report will be presented to the Working Committee meeting to be held in mid-February he said.