The Bribery or Corruption Investigation Commission has started an investigation into the assets of Samagi Jana Balawega leader and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. Sri Lanka Latest News
Accordingly, the commission has requested in writing from Speaker Mahindayapa Abeywardena to provide the necessary information.
In that letter, Mr. Sajith Premadasa as a Member of Parliament from the year 2017 to the year 2023 has also requested to provide certified copies of the assets and liabilities presented to the Speaker.
These investigations have been started based on a complaint received by the commission.
However, many people in the political field point out that this procedure was presented with the aim of political smearing, and in this way, UNP leader Mr Gamini Dissanayake was charged with false allegations filled to the Bribery Commission when he was running as a candidate for the 1994 presidential election.
Bribery Commission started an investigation against Mr Gamini Dissanayake, and at that time Chandrika Kumaratunga’s government had also taken steps to give big media publicity to this.
But Mr Gamini Dissanayake was murdered before the presidential election, and after an investigation, the Bribery Commission released Mr Gamini Dissanayake from the related charge.
Recent media reports indicate that the Bribery Commission has initiated an investigation into Mr Sajith Premadasa, the presidential candidate for the SJB (Samagi Jana Balawegaya). The commission has requested the speaker to provide statements of assets and liabilities that Sajith submitted to Parliament between 2015 and 2019. This situation has reminded many of a similar incident that occurred 30 years ago in 1994.
Back in 1994, the then-government launched a Bribery Commission investigation against Mr Gamini Dissanayake, who was the UNP (United National Party) presidential candidate. Initially, the Chandrika Podhu Peramuna government, which had won the general election, expected Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe to be their rival.
However, to their surprise, Gamini Dissanayake secured the UNP candidacy, posing a significant threat to Chandrika’s victory prospects. In response, Chandrika’s government conducted numerous low-level operations and false smear campaigns against Gamini. One such campaign involved a fabricated complaint to the Bribery Commission, accusing Gamini of selling a government vehicle. Although this complaint was later dismissed, Gamini was tragically killed in a Tiger bomb attack before he could clear his name.
The smear campaign against Gamini Dissanayake in 1994 has striking parallels to the recent complaint against Sajith Premadasa in 2024. This complaint has stirred memories of the past, suggesting a pattern of politically motivated attacks through the Bribery Commission.
Additionally, another complaint was recently brought before Judge Manjula Ratnayake, alleging that the Secretary General of SJB had erred in appointing Mrs. Diana Gamage, who is confirmed to be a British citizen, from the national list. This complaint was filed with the Criminal Investigation Department by Y.G. Saman Nishantha.
Amid these developments, Sajith received a phone call from a highly influential government figure. During the call, this powerful individual informed Sajith about the government’s plans against him, advising him to be cautious and prepared for targeted attacks. The conversation also included an extensive discussion about the current political climate.
These incidents highlight the recurring theme of political manoeuvring and smear campaigns in Sri Lanka’s election history, reflecting a broader strategy to undermine strong presidential candidates through legal and political channels.
