UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake paid a glowing tribute to Mrs. Indrani Sugathadasa, wife of Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, for quitting as Chairperson of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) to register her protest against what was going on there.
In a letter to DEW Gunasekera, Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), the UNPer said that Mrs. Sugathadasa and those at the helm of the CSE should be summoned by the parliamentary watchdog committee.
The following is the full text of Karunanayake’s letter: Over the last 5 to 6 months the country’s economy has been traversing through some turbulent times. If these trying times are a result of uncontrollable factors and world economic meltdown being one of them, we can console ourselves and accept it. However, if it is oweing to arrogance, ignorance, corruption and manipulative practices, where insider trading is being pursued by a few at the expense of the majority, we need to expose and eliminate these white collar fraudsters.
You as the Chairman have been alive and responsive to our requests to act on Institutions such as Central Bank, Sri Lankan Airlines, Ports Authority, Ceylon Electricity Board, National Savings Bank, Lanka Puthra Bank, EPF and Bank of Ceylon etc.
The recent development of the National Savings Bank and The Finance Company Ltd. share purchase transaction reversal has led to exposing many problems, this only being the ‘Tip of the Ice Berg’.
We also should bear in mind and recall with respect Mrs. Indarani Sugathadasa, who a couple of months ago tendered her resignation in disgust trying to ameliorate the wrongs that were happening in the Securities and Stock Exchange. Considering her close political affiliation, it is nothing but right to commend her bold act of protecting her good name and also honouring the dignity of high office by resigning to prove a point.
Therefore, let us not lose this opportunity to take cognizance of the fact of her resignation and summon the Securities Exchange, the Stock Exchange, The former chairperson and the present chairman, the former Director General, the present Director General and the senior officers of both Institutions before COPE for immediate investigation.
I would look forward to your usual prompt and favourable response in order to restore confidence among the Sri Lankan foreign investors and the citizens of our country.
The Island: