A heated exchange erupted in Parliament today (03) as Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe dared SJB MP Mujibur Rahman to resign if he could not substantiate explosive claims that a key advisor to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was awarded a controversial Sathosa tender.
During a debate on Anti-Corruption Act regulations, Rahman accused the government of double standards, stating that while it aggressively pursues past corruption cases, it turns a blind eye to alleged wrongdoing within its ranks.
He listed several scandals, including: the release of 323 containers from the port without due process; irregular awarding of the Mannar wind power plant tender; loss-making auctions of luxury vehicles at the Presidential Secretariat and no action against an NPP-linked tuition teacher accused of involvement in a Kotahena child suicide case, despite public outrage.
“If this organizer belonged to any other party, he would already be in remand,” Rahman charged.
Deputy Public Security Minister Sunil Watagala countered, stating that the child suicide case was under active investigation, with court submissions already made.
Rahman then dropped a bombshell, alleging that Duminda Hulangamuwa, an advisor to President Dissanayake, secured a Sathosa tender through his private company, leading to a sharp rise in salt prices from Rs. 130 to Rs. 350 per kilo.
“The President promised clean governance, yet his own advisor benefits from state contracts?” Rahman questioned, citing Hulangamuwa’s TV interview where he reportedly admitted to winning the tender.
Trade Minister Samarasinghe vehemently denied any link between Hulangamuwa and the Sathosa tender, daring Rahman to provide proof.
“If you can prove this allegation, I will resign. But if you can’t, you must resign!” Samarasinghe declared, escalating the confrontation.
Rahman fired back, insisting that Hulangamuwa’s own admission on TV was proof enough, and challenged the government to come clean on the tender process.
He also accused President Dissanayake of failing to uphold his manifesto promises, including: no action against NPP supporters who blocked the Expressway during May Day and an attempt to appoint a politically connected outsider as Auditor General, potentially interfering with upcoming corruption probes against the government.
“From December, investigations into this government’s first six months begin. Is the President trying to install his own man to control the outcome?” Rahman questioned.
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