New Democratic Front (NDF) MP Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament Wednesday that he was not responsible for the controversial bond scams, asserting that the Central Bank was never under his purview during his tenure.
Speaking under Section 27/8 of the Parliamentary Standing Orders, which allows MPs to make a personal explanation to vindicate their conduct, the former Finance Minister said his statement aimed to correct remarks made by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on November 26 regarding the bond scandal.
“At no point during my tenure as the Minister of Finance was I assigned the Central Bank. This is the first time I am publicly mentioning this,” Karunanayake said.
He clarified that during his term, the Central Bank reported directly to then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, while state and private banks were under then-Minister Kabir Hashim.
Karunanayake added that the Central Bank had traditionally been under the Finance Ministry, except during his tenure.
He described the implication in the Prime Minister’s statement that he bore responsibility for the bond scam as “misleading” and “damaging” to his rights.
“The Presidential Commission of Inquiry’s report does not find me guilty of anything or find me wanting in any way whatsoever,” he said, rejecting claims that Prime Minister Amarasuriya’s statement was based on the commission’s findings.
Karunanayake emphasized that his remarks were intended to set the record straight and were not directed personally against the Prime Minister.
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