Bandula reiterates Ravi K's hand in Section 77

Trade, Marketing, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardana yesterday reiterated that Ravi Karunanayake, his predecessor was responsible for the smuggling in Section 77 into the Consumer Affairs Authority Act to allow Prima a free handover wheat flour prices.

"MP Ravi Karunanayake is ready to take legal action against me, Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and this was given wide publicity through the print and electronic media. He is sueing us each for Rs. 3,000 million," he said.

Minister Gunawardana said although Karunaynayake claimed that the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 9 of 2003 including Section 77 was passed during the tenure of Rauff Hakeem in 2001, the Act was not passed during his tenure. It was submitted to a Standing Committee due to several disagreements on several sections in the Act.

Posts and Telecommunications Minister Rauff Hakeem who also present at this press conference endorsed the views expressed by Minister Gunawardana.

The Minister said Ravi Karunanayake spoke against this Act at the Standing Committee. However, in 2003, the Act inclusive of Section 77, was passed in 2003 when Karunanayake was the Trade Minister. Minister Gunawardena said a Parliamentary Select Committee will be appointed to find out how this dubious clause was introduced to this Act.

The Minister said the Cabinet which met on Wednesday approved a proposal to this effect and decided to refer the issue to the Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption since they sense foulplay behind the affair.

Addressing the press briefing, Power and Energy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said they have clear evidence to prove that Rs. One billion was provided by Prima to include the provision into the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, which was promulgated in 2003.