Co- Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara today admitted that there was a âmajor issueâ in the fact that members of the COPE Committee had conversations with Arjun Aloysius.
âYes of course there is an issue. We will all be able to see the outcomes of this once action is filed,â he said, in response to questions by journalists at the weekly cabinet media briefing yesterday.
However, Jayasekara defended the two calls and meeting he had with Aloysius and said that he found need to declare meeting Aloysius at any point.
âYes I met with him once and we spoke on the phone twice. But I donât think it was needed to declare to anyone that I met him,â he said.
Jayasekara, while admitting that there were more than two conversations with Aloysius went on to say that he knew Aloysius previously.
On the day of the first revelation of the phone calls however, Jayasekara told the media that there were only two calls and a meeting -âI have had nothing else to do with him (Aloysius)â, Jayasekara said last week.
However, yesterday Jayasekara admitted to previous communications.
âI knew him from before. I was not a member of parliament at the time of the 7th COPE when I was in contact with Arjun Aloysius (first call between the two were July 10, 2015). There were only two calls between him and me whilst I was a member of the COPEâ he said.
Jayasekara admitted that the latter communications and meeting were meant to influence the COPE investigations.
Thereafter Jayasekara was asked if he reported the communications to any person or authority, to which he answered in the negative.
When repeatedly questioned by journalists as to the fact as to if he found no need to declare the meeting of communications with Aloysius given the fact that the calls were made to influence Jayasekaraâs investigation he said that there was no such need.
âNo I didnât find the need to tell anyone. As a politician I talk to a lot of people and this was one such conversation. What you must look at is the side that I was on, what I have said during the COPE hearings. I have been the most vociferous against the scam throughout this timeâ he said.
When journalists pointed out that the stance he took was inconsequential and the question at hand was regarding his dealings with Aloysius, Jayasekara remained resolute.
âNo there was no need to declare my meeting with him (Aloysius) to anyone. I may have told one or two people. In fact when he first called me Minister Anura Yapa was next to me in the vehicle. But that was itâ
Journalists continued to question Jayasekara giving background of Aloysiusâ attempts to influence witnesses during the Bond Commission hearings.
Drawing example The Daily Mirror pointed out that Richie Dias the Treasury Head of Pan Asia Bank was attempted to be influenced by Aloysius, and Dias informed the Commission of the attempt.
Â
Sri Lanka recently played host to four renowned Australian-based social media influencers in a ground-breaking…
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is experiencing a surge in tourist activity during the end of…
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID ) will interrogate three more officials of the parliamentary staff…
The year 2024 has set a historic record for the highest number of Sri Lankans…
The Canned Fish Manufacturers’ Association of Sri Lanka (CFMASL) has requested the government to reduce…
The Supreme Court today declared that the Fundamental Rights of the student candidates and petitioners…