Rs. 450 m fraud complaint: Ranil rejects charges

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

UNP Presidential Candidate Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday rejected a complaint filed before the Bribery Commission implicating him in a financial deal in connection with the purchase of computers for Temple Trees when he was Prime Minister.

The Opposition Leader welcomed any investigation into the matter promising all assistance to the Bribery Commission.

He also invited Prime Minister Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse to a public debate on this allegation and also on the 'Helping Hambantota Fund.'

"I have nothing to do with this and I am ready to face any investigation," Wickremesinghe told a packed press briefing at the Opposition Leader's office.

Wickremesinghe said he had come to know that Minister Mangala Samaraweera had made a complaint against him at the Bribery Commission over the purchase of computers to the Prime Ministers office.

He explained that these computers had been purchased under a programme to computerise the Prime Minister's office in line with similar refurbishment undertaken at offices of Prime Ministers all over the world.

"This was carried out under the Indian Line of Credit and Tata Consultancy Services. A leading Indian firm in this field handled it." Wickremesinghe said this project was implemented with Cabinet approval and even a Cabinet Committee was appointed to negotiate the project and it was thereafter continued by a Committee of high Government officials.

"I am not going to courts seeking a ruling to stop this investigation. Once I am informed by the Bribery Commission, I will instruct lawyers to extend cooperation to conduct investigations in to this allegation."

He called upon Premier Rajapakse to follow suit and allow investigations into the Helping Hambantota Fund also to continue.

"I request him to withdraw court cases against the investigation into the Helping Hambantota Fund and allow the CID to carry out its investigation. I am ready for a public debate with Premier Rajapakse on both these issues."

Wickremesinghe also revealed that he would strengthen the Bribery Commission Act by introducing an amendment to prevent Court intervention when an investigation is being conducted into a complaint of bribery and corruption.