Committee to probe controversial Ranjan-judiciary confabs

• Audio clips expose conduct of top judges who handled cases against members of present government at that time  
• Judiciary, BC, CID apparently influenced in prosecution of MPs
• Govt. lobbying for commission to probe contents of audio clips 

By Kelum Bandara 

The government is planning to appoint a special committee to probe controversial telephone calls between UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake and those in the judiciary and law enforcement authorities during the tenure of the former regime, Daily Mirror learns.

The audio clips started leaking out last week exposing the conduct of some top judges and key officials who handled investigations into various cases against members of the present government at that time. 

MP Ramanayake appeared to have influenced the judiciary, the Bribery Commission (BC) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the conduct of investigations and prosecution of MPs. 

According to informed sources, the government is planning to secure Cabinet approval for the appointment of a special commission to probe contents of the said audio clips. 

• The audio clips expose the conduct of some top judges and key officials who handled investigations into various cases against members of the present government at that time

UNP assures stringent action against Ranjan 

• Says government using audio clips to cover up pressing issues faced by people

By Yohan Perera 

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and its General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam assured stern action against MP Ranjan Ramanayake who has been mired in controversy after recordings of telephone conversations he had with several individuals made their way to public domains. 

UNP MP Harshana Rajakaruna told a press conference that the party leader and its general secretary assured UNP members that stern action would be taken against MP Ramanayake without delay. He also said the government used MP Ramanayake’s audio clips to cover up real issues faced by people. 

“Prices of essential goods have skyrocketed lately. The price of red onion had shot up to Rs.500 a kilo. A kilo of leeks is Rs.450 and beans Rs.350. The price of rice has gone up too. Some 100,000 UNPers have been removed from the public service owing to political victimisation. Ranjan Ramanayake is being used to cover up all these issues. The government’s repeated request for a two-thirds majority in Parliament at the upcoming general elections to fulfil electoral promises is unacceptable,” he said.   

Meanwhile, MP Bandula Lal Bandarigoda who also participated in the press conference said people should think long-term and take the right decision at the next presidential election. 

Ranjan hurls blasphemous insults at Buddhism

Another voice recording of UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake leaked recently in which he makes derogatory remarks on characters found in Buddhist literature.  In the audio clip that has already stormed the internet, MP Ramanayake is heard hurling insulting remarks on Buddhism with a celebrated model. They even discussed vulgar and intimate affairs during the conversation.