Immediately after attending the Presidential Commission on bribery and corruption yesterday, Rishad called for a press conference in the evening yesterday (26 th ) . In this press conference he said, that he was invited as current subject Cabinet Minister to explain the circumstances, under which alleged irregular rice import took place during the period, between 2010 and 2015 January 10 th under Mahinda’s regime, when the CWE was under the purview of another subject Minister.
He was invited to the Presidential Commission on Bribery and Corruption on 29th August 2016. As he has other official engagement on 29 th , he volunteered to give his observation and clarification on alleged irregular rice import done then. The presidential commission accepted his request and recorded his observation and clarifications. He said that he has assured the Presidential Commission to cooperate with it as and when they need his services.
While this is the real fact, a particular communal minded English and a Sinhala news paper engaged in mudslinging campaign, twisted this irregular rice import matter against him and published news articles in an irresponsible manner damaging his reputation. This is being done in an organized manner. When their intention is deliberate, they can’t be allowed to continue their sinister campaign. Hence, he has sent a letter of demand to these news papers respectively claiming Rs 1billion damage through his lawyers. He requested these media organizations to respect media culture and responsibility in future.
Further, he said, that he strives hard to convert loss incurring organizations including CWE during the last regime, into a profitable venture in the future. In pursuance of this policy, he proved his mettle by converting CWE as a profit making organization after he assumed office as subject Minister, he said. Further, as a first step Chairmen of organizations coming under his purview were given one year period to convert their organizations into a profit making ventures, he concluded.
