SJB says parties not liable for individuals’ actions
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has temporarily suspended the membership of Charith Abeysinghe, its Horana organizer, arrested in a high-profile bribery investigation, while insisting that political parties cannot be held responsible for the alleged criminal acts of individual members.
Addressing reporters on Monday (29), SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna said the party had taken immediate disciplinary action against Abeysinghe and would conduct an internal inquiry, while maintaining that the legal process should proceed without political interference.
“Whether they belong to our party or any other party, the law must be enforced strictly against those involved in bribery, corruption and fraud,” Rajakaruna said insisting, “Political parties cannot be held responsible for the actions of individuals. Every political party has had members accused of wrongdoing.”
His remarks came days after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) arrested Abeysinghe along with Rakitha Rajapakshe, the son of former justice minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, and Aruna Sri Chathuranga, a former director of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., over allegations of soliciting and accepting bribes in connection with alleged promises to secure the release and protection of underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias “Harakatta”. All three have been remanded pending further investigations.
Rajakaruna, reiterating that the SJB had suspended the party membership of Abeysinghe, pending the outcome of both the criminal investigation and the party’s own disciplinary process, questioned why similar disciplinary measures had not been taken in other political parties when their members or associates faced criminal allegations.
Referring to the ruling National People Power (NPP), Rajakaruna alleged that party members and relatives of some public representatives had also been linked to criminal activities, but had not faced comparable disciplinary action.
He also referred to Yusuf Mohamed Ibrahim, a figure linked to investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, claiming that no suspension had been announced in that instance.
Rajakaruna reiterated that the SJB opposes drug trafficking, organized crime and kidnappings, and said the party would not interfere with ongoing investigations.
“Whether the allegations are ultimately proven is a matter for the courts and the investigating authorities,” he said. “We have no issue with the law taking its course independently and without political drama.”
Rajakaruna also welcomed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s attendance in Parliament, describing it as a positive departure from previous administrations where presidents appeared less frequently. However, he urged the president to focus on delivering the promises made during the presidential and parliamentary election campaigns rather than using parliamentary appearances to address unrelated matters.
-ENCL
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