Presidential probe: Politicos, officials may lose civic rights

Champika after Mahinda’s scalp, not Basil’s

By Shamindra Ferdinando-February 10, 2015

The Special Presidential Commission (SPC) envisaged by the government to probe major cases of corruption would have the required authority to recommend that those found guilty be deprived of their civic rights, authoritative sources told The Island.

The proposed SPC could make the recommendation to Parliament, sources said, adding that the government was now in the process of working out the terms of reference. The bottom line was that those found guilty could lose their right to contest elections, sources said, pointing out that the recent conviction and sentencing of four years given to AIADMK General Secretary J. Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate wealth case immediately disqualified her from contesting elections for the next 10 years.

Asked whether the government had chosen members of the SPC, sources said that both sitting and retired judges could be appointed.

President Maithripala Sirisena announced the decision to establish the SPC at a public rally at Aralaganwila on Monday.

The announcement was made consequent to Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, making representations to the President, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministerial colleagues.

The proposed SPC would be on the lines of the Criminal Justice Commissions (CJCs) of 1972, sources said.

The then Premier Sirimavo Bandaranaike appointed two CJCs — one to probe the 1971 insurgency spearheaded by the JVP and the other to probe foreign exchange rackets.

Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe last week told The Island that special mechanism was required to deal with allegations pertaining to major cases of corruption. The minister emphasised that the SPC would probe really big cases. Those not wanting to lodge complaints with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption could come before the SPC, the minister said.

The SPC proceedings would be subjected to close scrutiny by a special committee comprising politicians and legal experts, the minister said.

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka of the JHU on Monday declared that Mahinda Rajapaksa should be held responsible for all major cases of corruption during his presidency. Although the then Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa had been accused of corruption, it was the former President who should be held responsible for the situation. The minister was addressing a seminar at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI).

Ranawaka alleged that the former President had been responsible for corruption in key sectors. The minister strongly opposed Basil Rajapaksa and those around the former President being accused of corruption without charges being directed at Mahinda Rajapaksa.