Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has accused the United National Party (UNP) of taking a position aimed at protecting politicians facing allegations of corruption, following the party’s reaction to the remanding of MP Namal Rajapaksa.
Jayatissa said Rajapaksa’s latest remand is not unprecedented, noting that the MP had also been remanded on previous occasions during the 2015–2019 administration, when Ranil Wickremesinghe served as Prime Minister.
The Minister said the latest legal action is linked to investigations into allegations involving a bribe of around Rs. 100 million in connection with the Airbus transaction.
According to Jayatissa, investigations into the allegations were expedited under the present administration, following which the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) presented its findings before court and the court subsequently ordered Rajapaksa to be remanded.
He strongly criticized a statement issued by the UNP under the leadership of Wickremesinghe, saying the party’s response demonstrates how far it has moved from its traditional political position.
Jayatissa said long-standing UNP supporters would be surprised to see the party taking what he described as a stance of defending individuals facing allegations of wrongdoing.
He further alleged that the UNP’s primary objective has now become the defence of corrupt politicians, suspects and criminals.
The Minister stressed that legal action against individuals is based on independent investigations and decisions made by the courts, while accusing groups facing scrutiny of coming together to issue political statements whenever one of their members is subject to law enforcement action.
