Deceiving Mangala, Prasad Kariyawasam plays double game

 

05 May 2015 12:20

Sri Lankan ambassador in Washington Prasad Kariyawasam is feeding false information to foreign affairs minister Mangala Samaraweera and playing a ‘double game’, say sources at the Sri Lanka embassy in Washington.

 

Kariyawasam is misleading the minister and getting those employed in the embassy during the Rajapaksa regime, enrolled for service again, say the sources.

 

Steps are being taken to reinstate one Damith de Silva, nicknamed ‘Jaliyage Kelama’ (Jaliya’s tale-carrier). Directly linked to Jaliya’s corrupt activities, this man also has a close connection with a sister of Jaliya too. Due to that connection, he got a home-based appointment from his job as a photographer in Lake House. Talented officers in the foreign affairs minister had to do his bidding, due to his having carried tales to Jaliya. Embassy staff is strongly opposing his recruitment on a local basis.

 

During a recent visit to the US, minister Samaraweera instructed a coordinating secretary of his, as soon as he saw Damith, “Oh. This man is still here? Immediately put him on the list of the recalled officers.”

 

However, those words have not been taken any seriously. Prasad has been able to change the mindset of Mangala who had been in such a firm stance.

 

The other person to be recruited on a local basis is Roshani Perera, the cousin of Prasanna, the brother of Jaliya Wickramasuriya.

 

Prasanna, the former chairman of the Aviation Authority and a retired colonel, is in hiding in the US. Even under such circumstances, Roshani’s job security has been guaranteed by Prasad.

 

Before departing for Sri Lanka to take part in secretary of state John Kerry’s visit, Prasad personally summoned both Damith and Roshani for an interview and told them, “I got Mangala’s consent for your appointments. Therefore, do not be afraid. Things could begin as soon as I return from Lanka.”

 

In addition to these two, Prasad is these days trying to get closer to Mangala in order to get his closest female friend Maheshini to Washington. Foreign ministry sources say it is certain the minister would fulfil that personal wish on humanitarian grounds.