Sumanthiran welcomes corruption probes into Rajapaksa family

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran has welcomed investigations into corruption allegations against members of the Rajapaksa family, saying the claims are serious and must be thoroughly investigated.

“Allegations have been levelled against members of the Rajapaksa family, investigations are being conducted, and arrests are being made. The allegations are serious. Since this concerns corruption, proper investigations must be conducted. We welcome these investigations,” Sumanthiran said.

He said corruption allegations involving members of the family had existed for years, but some cases had been halted after Gotabaya Rajapaksa became President.

Sumanthiran said efforts to pursue those cases had now resumed and that the allegations should be properly investigated.

Commenting separately on Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s apology in Parliament over the July 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom, Sumanthiran welcomed the move but said an apology alone was insufficient.

He recalled that former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga had appointed a Presidential Commission in 2001 to investigate the violence and had apologised on behalf of the Government in 2004.

“Many people have forgotten this. Twenty-five years ago, a commission was appointed, and several of its recommendations were implemented. In 2004, Chandrika also apologised on behalf of the Government,” he said.

Sumanthiran said renewed efforts to address the events of July 1983 should result in accountability for those responsible.

“This process must not stop with an apology. There must be a mechanism to punish those responsible. We would welcome it if accountability is ensured and those responsible are punished,” he said.