Professor Carlo Fonseka says Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake is in the Cabinet sub-committee which directs the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID). "My dear nephew is a naïve person. He is in this committee either because of his ignorance or due to his loyalty to the UNP."
Excerpts:
Q
: Should the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) be dissolved?
A: We appealed to the Supreme Court to do so.
: Should the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) be dissolved?
A: We appealed to the Supreme Court to do so.
Q
: Why is it necessary?
A: Police have two divisions to investigate financial crimes and frauds. One is Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the other is Fraud Investigation Department (FID). This division has been established additionally. It is not wrong and not a new one either. We oppose its function.
: Why is it necessary?
A: Police have two divisions to investigate financial crimes and frauds. One is Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the other is Fraud Investigation Department (FID). This division has been established additionally. It is not wrong and not a new one either. We oppose its function.
Q
: Do you mean it is aimed at political revenge?
A: This unit was set up by a Cabinet sub-committee which comprises the Prime Minister, my dear nephew Ranjan Ramanayaka and several others. My nephew is a naïve person. He is in this committee either because of his ignorance or due to his loyalty to the UNP. But I cannot say the operations of the committee are right. I don't like them. Politicians who are in the committee can punish their opponents and save their friends through this committee. I look from the viewpoint of my nephew. He is honest and bold, but too talkative. He levels verbal attacks. A future government may use the same regulations to sue him.
: Do you mean it is aimed at political revenge?
A: This unit was set up by a Cabinet sub-committee which comprises the Prime Minister, my dear nephew Ranjan Ramanayaka and several others. My nephew is a naïve person. He is in this committee either because of his ignorance or due to his loyalty to the UNP. But I cannot say the operations of the committee are right. I don't like them. Politicians who are in the committee can punish their opponents and save their friends through this committee. I look from the viewpoint of my nephew. He is honest and bold, but too talkative. He levels verbal attacks. A future government may use the same regulations to sue him.
Q
: Do you demand to dissolve FCID for the sake of your nephew?
A: It is related to my nephew's welfare too, but I raised my voice for the other people. I am not a legal expert. I discussed with Ven Elle GunawansaThera. He was also of the view that we must do something as senior citizens.
: Do you demand to dissolve FCID for the sake of your nephew?
A: It is related to my nephew's welfare too, but I raised my voice for the other people. I am not a legal expert. I discussed with Ven Elle GunawansaThera. He was also of the view that we must do something as senior citizens.
Q
: A complaint has been lodged at FCID against Minister Sajith Premadasa too.
A: Yes.
: A complaint has been lodged at FCID against Minister Sajith Premadasa too.
A: Yes.
Q
: Then how do you argue that FCID is a unit for political revenge?
A: That complaint must be investigated. But I have doubts whether the committee comprising the Prime Minister, Ranjan Ramanayaka and several others have decided to take action against Minister Sajith Premadasa. We don't understand the conflicts between politicians. We are senior citizens.
: Then how do you argue that FCID is a unit for political revenge?
A: That complaint must be investigated. But I have doubts whether the committee comprising the Prime Minister, Ranjan Ramanayaka and several others have decided to take action against Minister Sajith Premadasa. We don't understand the conflicts between politicians. We are senior citizens.
Q
: What is your relationship with Ranjan Ramanayaka?
A: He is one of my nephews.
: What is your relationship with Ranjan Ramanayaka?
A: He is one of my nephews.
Q
: Did he recently clarify that FCID was not a unit for political revenge?
A: He loves me and asked me what was happening. I told him that I was not a person who knew the answers. There is a controversy over this matter. I discussed this with Ven Elle Gunawansa Thera and two others, whose names I don't like to divulge. They are legal experts. We took action under their instructions. Now Rajan has told that I have been influenced by somebody to do this. How can anyone influence me?
: Did he recently clarify that FCID was not a unit for political revenge?
A: He loves me and asked me what was happening. I told him that I was not a person who knew the answers. There is a controversy over this matter. I discussed this with Ven Elle Gunawansa Thera and two others, whose names I don't like to divulge. They are legal experts. We took action under their instructions. Now Rajan has told that I have been influenced by somebody to do this. How can anyone influence me?
Q
: But Ranjan Ramanayaka argues that Ven Elle Gunawansa Thera and several others pressurized you to file this petition.
A: No. It can be a mistake of my nephew. I was not subjected to such pressure. He is a young, innocent and talkative person.
: But Ranjan Ramanayaka argues that Ven Elle Gunawansa Thera and several others pressurized you to file this petition.
A: No. It can be a mistake of my nephew. I was not subjected to such pressure. He is a young, innocent and talkative person.
Q
: Do you mean he is lying?
A: He never lies against me. He cracks jokes sometimes in Parliament.
: Do you mean he is lying?
A: He never lies against me. He cracks jokes sometimes in Parliament.
Q
: Didn't he speak to you after he made that statement?
A: Not yet. He is quite shy. It is a statement he had made due to his ignorance. I had nephews who had different political opinions. Wijaya also was like that. But we always had good relations.
: Didn't he speak to you after he made that statement?
A: Not yet. He is quite shy. It is a statement he had made due to his ignorance. I had nephews who had different political opinions. Wijaya also was like that. But we always had good relations.
Q
: Are you angry with your nephew now?
A: No. I always wish him good luck.
: Are you angry with your nephew now?
A: No. I always wish him good luck.
Uncle Carlo under pressure
Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayaka says, "Uncle Carlo could be under pressure from the thieves to petition against FCID. He is a renowned intellectual. When such a person files a petition, it draws attention. The bunch of thieves has manipulated him to cover up their crimes," he said.
Excerpts:
Excerpts:
Q
: What is your relationship with Prof. Carlo Fonseka?
A: He is my uncle. Vijaya Kumaratunga was also my uncle.
: What is your relationship with Prof. Carlo Fonseka?
A: He is my uncle. Vijaya Kumaratunga was also my uncle.
Q
: Are you very close to him?
A: Yes. He has helped our family for a long time. Anybody in our family speaks to uncle Carlo when one falls ill. I say this since you asked. When I contested as the Chief Ministerial candidate of Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, he phoned me and offered me money considering me as a son. He also accused that I had blamed him on political stages. I asked him why he sent money while blaming me. He said he sent money because of the relationship and asked me to use it to print posters and feed the supporters. He said he blamed me because I had joined the United National Party (UNP) which he didn't like. However, I accepted his money.
: Are you very close to him?
A: Yes. He has helped our family for a long time. Anybody in our family speaks to uncle Carlo when one falls ill. I say this since you asked. When I contested as the Chief Ministerial candidate of Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, he phoned me and offered me money considering me as a son. He also accused that I had blamed him on political stages. I asked him why he sent money while blaming me. He said he sent money because of the relationship and asked me to use it to print posters and feed the supporters. He said he blamed me because I had joined the United National Party (UNP) which he didn't like. However, I accepted his money.
Q
: Is it true that he filed a petition demanding to dissolve the FCID under the influence of some people?
A: As he told me, Ven Elle Gunawansa Thera and several others had forced him to do so. I can't name them. FCID has been set up to investigate mass-scale financial crimes and corruption. The police and CID lack resources to investigate them. FCID was set up according to a pledge given in the Presidential campaign. I wonder why my uncle who was vociferous about corruption is against FCID.
: Is it true that he filed a petition demanding to dissolve the FCID under the influence of some people?
A: As he told me, Ven Elle Gunawansa Thera and several others had forced him to do so. I can't name them. FCID has been set up to investigate mass-scale financial crimes and corruption. The police and CID lack resources to investigate them. FCID was set up according to a pledge given in the Presidential campaign. I wonder why my uncle who was vociferous about corruption is against FCID.
Q
: What kind of pressure is he facing?
A: He was very close to the past regime. FCID is the biggest barrier the Rajapaksa regime has to face today. It does the investigations well. Therefore, my uncle could be under the pressure from them to petition against FCID. He is a renowned intellectual. When such a person files a petition, it draws attention. The pack of thieves manipulated him to cover their crimes.
: What kind of pressure is he facing?
A: He was very close to the past regime. FCID is the biggest barrier the Rajapaksa regime has to face today. It does the investigations well. Therefore, my uncle could be under the pressure from them to petition against FCID. He is a renowned intellectual. When such a person files a petition, it draws attention. The pack of thieves manipulated him to cover their crimes.
Q
: The government is in your hands. Didn't you tell your uncle that you would look after him?
A: He has never smuggled heroin. He has not engaged in ethanol rackets. He has never been accused of corruption. He is an intelligent and experienced person who is respected by the entire nation. I know that the President, the Prime Minister and the former President respect him. We will not let him face any trouble.
: The government is in your hands. Didn't you tell your uncle that you would look after him?
A: He has never smuggled heroin. He has not engaged in ethanol rackets. He has never been accused of corruption. He is an intelligent and experienced person who is respected by the entire nation. I know that the President, the Prime Minister and the former President respect him. We will not let him face any trouble.
Q
: But Prof. Fonseka says no one influenced him to petition. He says you have confused the situation.
A: I think that organized group at least requested him to do so if they did not influence. Neither my uncle nor any member of his family has been summoned by FCID. Why should he demand to dissolve FCID? Therefore we have reasonable doubt that he was pushed to do that by the pack of thieves.
: But Prof. Fonseka says no one influenced him to petition. He says you have confused the situation.
A: I think that organized group at least requested him to do so if they did not influence. Neither my uncle nor any member of his family has been summoned by FCID. Why should he demand to dissolve FCID? Therefore we have reasonable doubt that he was pushed to do that by the pack of thieves.
Q
: Did you speak to Prof. Fonseka after he petitioned against the FCID?
A: Yes. I told him the truth. When I spoke to DIG Ravindra Widyalankara of the FCID, he said they had received a complaint against even Minister Sajith Premadasa. Several such complaints are pending investigation. A probe has been begun against the Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI) also. Then he said he would withdraw it.
: Did you speak to Prof. Fonseka after he petitioned against the FCID?
A: Yes. I told him the truth. When I spoke to DIG Ravindra Widyalankara of the FCID, he said they had received a complaint against even Minister Sajith Premadasa. Several such complaints are pending investigation. A probe has been begun against the Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI) also. Then he said he would withdraw it.
Q
: Your uncle loves you. He says he is afraid that a future government will sue you.
A: He loves me and once he told me I had to emulate Vijaya Kumaratunga. When I was under threat of the past regime, he mediated and saved my life. Somebody has misinformed him that I am a member of a committee responsible for the FCID. I like to be in such a committee but I am not in such a position. He may be thinking that my life will be in danger because of my involvement with such a committee.
: Your uncle loves you. He says he is afraid that a future government will sue you.
A: He loves me and once he told me I had to emulate Vijaya Kumaratunga. When I was under threat of the past regime, he mediated and saved my life. Somebody has misinformed him that I am a member of a committee responsible for the FCID. I like to be in such a committee but I am not in such a position. He may be thinking that my life will be in danger because of my involvement with such a committee.
Q
: Is FCID a tool of political revenge?
A: No. Does arresting the suspects who swindled millions and billions of rupees of public funds amount to political revenge? It is an election promise. I urge FCID to arrest me if there are corruption charges against me.
: Is FCID a tool of political revenge?
A: No. Does arresting the suspects who swindled millions and billions of rupees of public funds amount to political revenge? It is an election promise. I urge FCID to arrest me if there are corruption charges against me.
Q
: As JVP Leader Anura Kumara Disanayaka says, SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa also faces the same charge MP Johnston Fernando faced. Why is the delay in taking action against him? Is it because he is supporting President Maithripala Sirisena?
A: Names such as Johnston, Anura Priyadarshana or Ranjan Ramanayaka do not matter. The complaints against anyone must be probed. Many ministers will have to be arrested in the future. Their political lenience will not matter.
: As JVP Leader Anura Kumara Disanayaka says, SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa also faces the same charge MP Johnston Fernando faced. Why is the delay in taking action against him? Is it because he is supporting President Maithripala Sirisena?
A: Names such as Johnston, Anura Priyadarshana or Ranjan Ramanayaka do not matter. The complaints against anyone must be probed. Many ministers will have to be arrested in the future. Their political lenience will not matter.
Q
: Didn't you speak to your uncle after you said he was under pressure?
A: No. Not yet.
: Didn't you speak to your uncle after you said he was under pressure?
A: No. Not yet.
Q
: Prof. Fonseka says you do not call him because you cannot face him.
A: Wait. I will call him now and call you back
: Prof. Fonseka says you do not call him because you cannot face him.
A: Wait. I will call him now and call you back
Source:http://www.ceylontoday.lk/89-95562-news-detail-uncle-and-nephew-battle-over-fcid.html
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