Public Administration Minister Karu Jayasuriya informed Parliament yesterday that there was a shrewd and dangerous conspiracy in operation currently to topple the government by winning over Ministers for moneys running into million of rupees at crucial moments in the House.
Raising a question of privilege, the one time UNP deputy leader said that a pro-LTTE business tycoon Charles Gnanakoon was playing a pivotal role in this coup according to evidence available
Mr. Jayasuriya said that this conspiracy had been worked out to neutralize all government attempts to defeat terrorism.
“The task of this business tycoon is to bribe MPs with a large sum of money to vote against the government during crucial times. He has pledged to provide one million US dollars for an MP opposing the government moves during such times,” he said.He said that he should not mention anything more about Mr. Gnanakoon who was arrested because of his suspected involvement in the murder of famous Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.“It is not a secret that he is having close links with the LTTE. He is accused of creating the environment for killing Mr.Kadirgamar by convincing him that he would not be assassinated as long as he remained the Foreign Minister,” Minister Jayasuriya said.
The Minister added that he knew about this conspiracy through two members of the UNP reformist group in the government led by him.
“They informed me as the group leader while rejecting the proposal put forward by Mr.Gnanakoon. None of our members can be lured by money,” he said.
Mr.Jayasuriya had to raise this issue in the House amidst shouting and heckling by UNP backbenchers who even criticized him using derogatory remarks. These members created a din by thumping their desks. At certain times, the government members also jeered at noisy UNPers.
Daily Mirror
Raising a question of privilege, the one time UNP deputy leader said that a pro-LTTE business tycoon Charles Gnanakoon was playing a pivotal role in this coup according to evidence available
Mr. Jayasuriya said that this conspiracy had been worked out to neutralize all government attempts to defeat terrorism.
“The task of this business tycoon is to bribe MPs with a large sum of money to vote against the government during crucial times. He has pledged to provide one million US dollars for an MP opposing the government moves during such times,” he said.He said that he should not mention anything more about Mr. Gnanakoon who was arrested because of his suspected involvement in the murder of famous Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.“It is not a secret that he is having close links with the LTTE. He is accused of creating the environment for killing Mr.Kadirgamar by convincing him that he would not be assassinated as long as he remained the Foreign Minister,” Minister Jayasuriya said.
The Minister added that he knew about this conspiracy through two members of the UNP reformist group in the government led by him.
“They informed me as the group leader while rejecting the proposal put forward by Mr.Gnanakoon. None of our members can be lured by money,” he said.
Mr.Jayasuriya had to raise this issue in the House amidst shouting and heckling by UNP backbenchers who even criticized him using derogatory remarks. These members created a din by thumping their desks. At certain times, the government members also jeered at noisy UNPers.
Daily Mirror
