Friday, May 12, 2017

Dr. Suren Batagoda responses to S.M. Gunaratna  on coal deal

May 11, 2017

The Lanka News Web received a clarification from Secretary to the Power and Energy Ministry Dr. Suren Batagoda, following the publishing of the response from former Chairman of Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd. Maithri Gunaratne on May 09, 2017.

According to Dr. Batagoda, the Supreme Court decision does not mention his name or the position of Power and Energy Ministry Secretary. “The Secretary has no role to play in this issue,” said Dr.Batagoda.
“My only concern was seeing an independent decisions and that is all what I mentioned to the Cabinet. Without misleading the people,” he added.
Former Chairman of the Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd. Gunaratne, in his response,alleged that Dr. Batagoda systematically mislead the Cabinet of Ministers and the attempt is mentioned in the Supreme Court judgment.
“As these allegations were continuing, when the Cabinet decision was sought after for the second time, I provided all the information to the Cabinet of Ministers to study and reach an independent decision,” he explained.
Adding further he said that the judgment given mentions the Tender Board and the Board of Appeal. “I am not the Chairman of the Tender Board. This is a total lie and an insult to the Supreme Court,” he said.
He added that this may be the first time ever a Cabinet decision was sought twice over a procurement matter and questions the possibility of misleading the Cabinet of Ministers twice.
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he Lanka News Web received a clarification from Secretary to the Power and Energy Ministry Dr. Suren Batagoda, following the publishing of the response from former Chairman of Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd. Maithri Gunaratne on May 09, 2017.
According to Dr. Batagoda, the Supreme Court decision does not mention his name or the position of Power and Energy Ministry Secretary. “The Secretary has no role to play in this issue,” said Dr.Batagoda.
“My only concern was seeing an independent decisions and that is all what I mentioned to the Cabinet. Without misleading the people,” he added.
Former Chairman of the Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd. Gunaratne, in his response,alleged that Dr. Batagoda systematically mislead the Cabinet of Ministers and the attempt is mentioned in the Supreme Court judgment.
“As these allegations were continuing, when the Cabinet decision was sought after for the second time, I provided all the information to the Cabinet of Ministers to study and reach an independent decision,” he explained.
Adding further he said that the judgment given mentions the Tender Board and the Board of Appeal. “I am not the Chairman of the Tender Board. This is a total lie and an insult to the Supreme Court,” he said.
He added that this may be the first time ever a Cabinet decision was sought twice over a procurement matter and questions the possibility of misleading the Cabinet of Ministers twice.