RW denies seeking Presidential immunity in bond scam case - Spokesman

Colombo, October 03 -  A spokesman for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today refuted claims made by Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath, stating that Wickremesinghe never sought Presidential immunity in connection with the controversial bond scam legal proceedings.

“Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had no reason to seek immunity and, in fact, has never made such a request,” former Presidential Media Director Dhanushka Ramanayake said in a statement. He also said that former President Wickremesinghe is not even a witness in this case.

While claiming that legal proceedings have begun on the Central Bank Treasury Bond Scam, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Herath earlier said that the legal proceedings had previously been stalled due to former President Wickremesinghe’s immunity.

However, Mr. Ramanayake denied the claims and said that the statement is deliberately or unintentionally misleading the entire public, including the media.

He also said that the Presidential Commission, which was appointed to look into the allegation, later released Mr. Wickremesinghe.

“In this context, as a responsible minister and cabinet spokesman, I would like to kindly inform you that it is inappropriate to make false statements, whether knowingly or unknowingly,” Mr. Ramanayake added.