Prado Deal: JVP repeats allegations, challenges Ravi to open debate

By Shamindra Ferdinando-February 3, 2016, 9:57 pm 

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has accused Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake of interfering in Customs operations thereby causing massive revenue losses to the government.

MP Dissanayake reiterated the accusation at a public meeting in Sooriyawewa on Tuesday. The JVPer challenged the Finance Minister for a live television debate to discuss the circumstances under which the Customs had released vehicles without charging due duties on imported vehicles properly.

A smiling Dissanayake said Minister Karunanayake had accused him of making unsubstantiated allegations taking cover behind parliamentary privileges. "Now, I have repeated the accusation outside parliament. I’m ready to face Minister Karunanayake at a live debate."

MP Dissanayake emphasized that he took up the Customs issue in Minister Karunanayake’s presence.

Addressing the media on Monday (Feb.1) at the Finance Ministry, Minister Karunanayake warned the JVP leader that legal action would be taken if such accusations were made outside parliament. Denying allegations pertaining to him intervening on behalf those who had imported Prados, Minister Karunanayake claimed that there was a conspiracy to tarnish his reputation.

Minister Karunanayake said there wouldn’t be any issue in respect of such transactions due to setting up a specific mechanism. The minister said that incumbent government had imposed highest taxes on vehicle imports therefore no basis for the JVPer’s claim.

Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga and Customs Chief Chulananda Perera joined Minister Karunanayake at the briefing.

Customs Chief Perera explained procedures adopted in respect of the Prados released under controversial circumstances. Perera stressed that the government hadn’t suffered any revenue loss contrary to claims.

Mahinda Sarathchandra who represented the vehicle importers association told the Finance Ministry briefing that MP Dissanayake had made accusations on the basis of false data made available to him.

Dissanayake urged the government to take punitive action against those who had profited at the expense of the government.

The JVP leader told the gathering at Sooriyawewa that vast majority of those who had visited former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second son, Yoshitha, now in remand at Welikada prison on a charge of Money Laundering, too, should be behind bars.

Dissanayake claimed that of those who had visited Yoshitha perhaps UPFA members Dinesh Gunawardene and Dallas Alahapperuma were the only ones not being tainted. He however said he couldn’t vouch for their integrity.

The JVP reiterated its fullest support to the ongoing investigations undertaken by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).

The JVPer repeated accusation pertaining to what he called Prado deal at a press briefing at party headquarters yesterday. MP Dissanayake said that the government should inquire into what he called Prado matter.