Minister Roshan Ranasinghe responds to the story on seized vehicle

26 November 2023 08:08 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 22 Bookmark

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Colombo, Nov 26 (Daily Mirror) - Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe in a response to the Daily Mirror story titled "Alleged Smuggled Land Cruiser Seized from Minister's Vehicle Yard" which appeared on Saturday, November 25th said the seized land cruiser in question did not belong to him and he had no connection with it.

Following is his response :

I am writing to address a matter of utmost importance concerning a news article published in the Daily Mirror on November 25, 2023, with the headline "Alleged Smuggled Land Cruiser Seized from Minister's Vehicle Yard." As the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, I feel compelled to bring to your attention to the falsified news item.

The article falsely alleges a connection between myself and an incident involving the seizure of a Land Cruiser from a minister's vehicle yard. I wish to categorically state that I have no association with the mentioned incident, and the vehicle in question has no connection to me or any business entity under my purview.

It is crucial to highlight that I have been actively involved in the auto vehicle-related business for the past 30 years, both locally and internationally, with operations in Sri Lanka, Japan, the United Kingdom, and several other countries. Throughout my career, I have conducted myself and my businesses with the utmost dignity and integrity, and there has never been a single accusation or implication of any wrongdoing of this nature. Further, I wish to state that I have been a parliamentarian for the last 13 years, have transparently conducted my duties, and honoured the people's wishes in return, for which they have held me high.

I believe it is imperative to inform you that this news appears to be a targeted incident to tarnish my reputation. It is particularly concerning as I am currently engaged in a crusade against corruption and an international syndicate involved in match-fixing and sports gambling organisations. Such false accusations damage my personal and professional reputation and undermine the broader efforts to eradicate corruption from our society.

Comments - 22

cineha Sunday, 26 November 2023 09:16 PM

Now he is beating around the bush without addressing the real issue. Mr. Minister simply tell us how come this illegally imported vehicle was found in your vehicle yard.

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Mahila Monday, 27 November 2023 03:47 PM

Follow my Boss in all Respects!!?? Kaputa Kaak!! Boeing Down!!!???

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Mahila Monday, 27 November 2023 12:35 AM

Thought he would explain, Why, How and for What purpose is that illegal vehicle in his premises??? Sorry, response nothing helpful in statement!!! What for the telling No??? "Kaputa Kaak"!!!??? Always, Boeing Plane hit and going down!!!???

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Kick all these rubbish out Monday, 27 November 2023 12:53 AM

Of course, you never had anything to do with it. It just sneaked in the night and parked itself.

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Premalal Monday, 27 November 2023 02:28 AM

Here is a person engaged in an automotive related business for the past 30 years who has conducted himself and his businesses with the utmost dignity and integrity, without a single accusation or implication of any wrongdoing of the said nature. This is despite his businesses having to deal with the Sr Lankan Customs on a routine basis. Isn't he the ideal anti-corruption crusader.

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Daya weerasinghe Monday, 27 November 2023 02:38 AM

These are people who made money through unethical means. There is no single vehicle importer who properly paid duties. He is one of them. These fellows who point one fingure does not know that four are pointed towards them.

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Ram Monday, 27 November 2023 04:13 AM

Minister has failed to address if the vehicle was seized from his yard and if so, how it got parked there. He took a few days to respond and had ample time to check from where it was collected and if he is not the owner who owns it.

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dana Monday, 27 November 2023 05:49 AM

Your employee is just scapegoat or real culprit,

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Jude Monday, 27 November 2023 05:53 AM

This guy in the limelight for wrong reasons!! However, Any publicity is good publicity!!

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Spartacus Monday, 27 November 2023 06:05 AM

There is not one single car sale importer in Sri Lanka who has not cheated the GOSL in some form or another. They also cheat their clients very unsuspectingly. This is also why you are a parliamentarian, so that you are able to manipulate the state system for your business benefit. Please don't think we are toiyas and baiyas to believe your bullshit.

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Thimothy Monday, 27 November 2023 06:05 AM

This fellow became super rich with the blessings of the Rajapakse's. How come only these miniters have super businesses over others. And anyone connected to Rajapakse's, non need anymore explanation

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Neel canal Monday, 27 November 2023 12:44 PM

It's clear that he has connectivity with this incident, nevertheless he didn't explain who this vehicle come to his yard. After all his explaining is not goog enough to remove the public doubt about his business. Once again Rajapak and Pohttuwa group doing the business illegal ways.

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Leo Monday, 27 November 2023 08:08 AM

Do you have a reputation to be tarnished?

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Mahila Monday, 27 November 2023 03:45 PM

21 Carat Sovereign Gold Standard Reputation!!!???

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Was it your property or stolen property? Monday, 27 November 2023 10:01 AM

So, if this vehicle did not belong to you, the public would like to know what was it doing in your yard ( a simple question)?

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Sandy Monday, 27 November 2023 10:20 AM

The story continues with no end

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Tissa Fernando Monday, 27 November 2023 10:21 AM

So, this guy too is a business man. He is apparently using the palimentary position to improve his business.

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Abd Monday, 27 November 2023 12:28 PM

What is the next step? Are you going to cover the story or or go courts against your employee, who did such illegal act to tarnish your good image

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Shiran Monday, 27 November 2023 01:54 PM

Does the Minister of utmost integrity have a Tax file? Does he pay Income tax?

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Mahila Monday, 27 November 2023 03:30 PM

Or Does the Car Yard pay Tax and have File number!!?? How can they pay tax on Smuggled vehicles, which termed 'smuggled' because of Tax avoidance in the first instance!!!??? International Crooks and Criminals Inc. (ICCI)

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Mahila Monday, 27 November 2023 03:43 PM

Fully agree with you!!! Why not make him the Executive President, after the NEXT Aragalaya!!!??? At least ‘RAJAPUK’ would be happy, even if some others aren’t!!!??? That IN ITSELF is great achievement for Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans AT LARGE!!! ‘APACHE’ Happy!!!??

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Future SL Tuesday, 28 November 2023 11:10 AM

All Business people who are in power or not needed to be treated equally infront of law and needed to put them behind the bars for a long period to avoid others doing the same for different goods or services in Sri Lanka.

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