MP Dayasiri Jayasekara has urged the government to publicly disclose the individuals or entities that provided refuge to former IGP Deshbandu Tennakoon, who is currently in hiding. Speaking in Parliament during the Committee Stage Debate on the 2025 Budget, he raised concerns over the increasing threats faced by legal officials handling high-profile cases.
Jayasekara emphasized that Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris had to appear in court under heavy security due to serious threats to his life. He urged the authorities to take these concerns seriously and ensure the safety of those involved in sensitive legal proceedings.
MP Challenges Allegations of Financial Dealings in Bond Scam
Addressing allegations against him, Jayasekara denied claims made by State Minister of Finance Harsha de Silva that he had received funds from Arjun Aloysius, a key figure in the bond scam.
“I have already testified before the CID regarding the bond scam. If there is any evidence against me, the authorities should file a case. It was I who exposed former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran’s improper involvement in the bond transactions during the COPE hearings,” he stated.
Unfulfilled Promises to Graduates
The MP also highlighted the government’s failure to fulfill its election promise of providing jobs to 35,000 graduates. He pointed out that while the Prime Minister claimed that 10,000 graduates had been appointed, the Public Service Commission had reportedly confirmed that not a single appointment had actually been made.
He urged the government to deliver on its commitments, as many unemployed graduates were now protesting in front of Parliament.
Selective Fund Allocation & Liquor License Controversy
Jayasekara accused the government of suspending the decentralized funds allocated to MPs for district development, stating that only ruling party members were receiving these funds.
He also criticized the lack of transparency in liquor license allocations, as the government had failed to release the promised list of recipients. Allegations have surfaced that former MPs such as Johnston Fernando and Prasanna Ranatunga have been granted licenses. Jayasekara called on the government to publicly disclose the full list without delay.
Government Must Reveal Tennakoon’s Whereabouts
Jayasekara demanded that the government disclose the location where Deshbandu Tennakoon was sheltered. He referenced Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Vatagala’s statement that authorities knew Tennakoon’s location and that his assets would be confiscated if he failed to surrender.
He also highlighted the revelation made by Deputy Solicitor General Peiris, who stated that Tennakoon’s name had not been recorded in the police registry for years, raising serious concerns about official misconduct.
“If the government knows where Deshbandu Tennakoon is, they must reveal it to the public. The people deserve to know the truth,” Jayasekara asserted.
A police constable and another individual have been arrested for allegedly assisting suspended Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon in evading arrest, the Police Media Division confirmed.
Sarith N. Silva, the creator of the popular YouTube channel Wild Cook Book, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Sri Lankan to surpass 10 million subscribers on YouTube.
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, paid a visit to the headquarters of the United National Party (UNP), Sri Kotha, today for a crucial discussion with the party’s leadership.
