President, Sagala will have to be responsible if I am killed: Sports Minister

BY YOHAN PERERA AND AJITH SIRIWARDANA

Parliament Nov. 27 (Daily Mirror)- While stating that he will be bumped off anytime, Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe said the Executive will have to be responsible for such an eventuality.

“I might be killed today or may be tomorrow, and I would say that the Executive will have to accept the responsibility in such an eventuality,” the   Minister said.

The Minister also pointed his finger at Presidential advisor Sagala Ratnayake. 

"Who is this Sagala Ratnayake? A motorcade is provided to Sagala to ensure his security. However, no security is provided for me being a Cabinet Minister,” he said.

The Minister said MP Namal Rajapaksa has warned that his life is in danger. “MP Namal told me to be careful as President Wickremesinghe is like a snake and will seek revenge from me soon."

However, MP Rajapaksa denied the claim and said Members of Parliament should not be allowed to use parliamentary privileges and utter such things. “Standing orders should be changed to prevent MPs from uttering things,” Namal Rajapaksa said.

In response, the Minister said the message was sent to him by MP Rajapaksa through a third party.

“President Ranil Wickremeisnghe accused me of insulting the judiciary. I only mentioned about one judicial officer. The President accused me of insulting the judiciary and then sent a team to raid all my companies. I have been accused of assembling vehicles. One can carry out investigations if they want and I am prepared to hand over the keys of my factories. My father did politics with late Minister Gamini Dissanayake. He had to sell our properties to spend for his campaigns. I had to go to Japan to find mployment. My mother gave me some money. I had to work hard but I managed to set up five businesses in a few countries. I have never engaged in any illegal activities,” he said.

The Minister then came out with details of an allegation that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had spent Rs. 234 million to purchase a LED screen which has been actually estimated to cost Rs 9.7 million. 
“I have been uncovering various frauds committed by SLC but I am the one being victimized,“ Minister Ranasinghe charged.

"The issue pertaining to cricket will be resolved after the next presidential election,” he said indicating that it will not be resolved in a hurry.