Rajitha denies charges of conflict vis-à-vis GK investment
View(s):Fisheries Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, a member of the Special Parliamentary Select Committee which probed the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, has denied claims of a conflict of interest in relation to his dealings with the failed Golden Key (GK) Co.
Some legal experts alleged a conflict of interest as the Minister was a depositor of GK, which was part of the failed Ceylinco Group that figured in the corruption allegations against the Chief Justice
By being a GK depositor, Dr. Senaratne demonstrates a significant personal interest in an important part of the subject matter under inquiry in the impeachment, they said.
When contacted on Friday, Dr. Senaratne said that he had deposited a sum of Rs. 7 million in the GK after selling a vehicle and that it was earlier reported in some newspapers. He noted that there was no conflict of interest whatsoever and the actual fact is that he represented the interest of GK depositors in the parliamentary select committee.
One of the impeachment charges is that Dr Bandaranayake failed to disclose how she obtained 19 million rupees ($146,000) to pay for a residential unit at Trillium residencies belonging to the Ceylinco Group; and that she took control of several cases filed against the company that sold the property, having removed the judges who originally heard the cases.
In the list of GK depositors submitted to the Supreme Court, there were 11 politicians, top businessmen, professionals, film and tele-drama artistes as well as journalists.
The repayment process of GK depositors has been dragging on since 2009 with no redress from the authorities in sight. The committee appointed by the Supreme Court is waiting for a directive of the judiciary to continue their functions, head of the committee Prof. Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala said.
A decision on the continuation of the committee would be taken at the next hearing of the GK Fundamental Rights case on February 8, he said.
Already 18 frustrated depositors have committed suicide while 50 others have died due to various illnesses caused by mental worries, said the President of the All GK Depositors Association Ms. Dushsyanthi Hapugoda.
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