Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake joined Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Dilum Amunugama yesterday (08) at a Dansala funded by Amunugama for devotees visiting the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya for the festivities this week.

Karunanayake and Amunuguama were seen serving food together to those gathered.

Photo Credit : Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya

In a startling revelation, the Attorney General’s Department today informed the Bond Commission that it had extracted 8600 pages of data from Perpetual Treasuries head Arjuna Aloysius’ mobile phone.

The AG’s Department said several text messages in the database refers to two individuals called ‘RK’ and ‘PM’

RK, incidentally, are also the initials of Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake.

According to the AG's Department's lawyers, some of the text messages indicated that Aloysius had funded the Sunday Leader newspaper, in the recent past. 

When questioned about the development, Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who appeared before the Commission this morning said, he had no knowledge of Aloysius’ text messages referring to ‘Ravi K’

In his statement, the Foreign Minister told the Bond Commission that he knew Arjuna Aloyius as a family friend for long time, but they had no business or official connection

The proposed no-confidence motion against Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake still hangs in the balance, with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the de facto leader of the Joint Opposition, yet to give green light for the move, informed political sources said.

The Joint Opposition earlier this week announced that they would move a no-confidence motion against Karuananayake over the latter’s alleged ‘Penthouse’, funded by Perpetual Treasuries boss Arjuna Aloysius.

At the time the Penthouse was leased, Karunanayake was the Finance Minister and Aloysius was already at the centre of the Treasury Bonds controversy.

However, when the matter was discussed at a meeting chaired by Rajapaksa, the former President had said no-confidence motion should be brought against the entire government, not only against Karunanayake.

As a result, the meeting had ended without a final decision on the no-confidence motion against the Foreign Minister.

Speaking to Asian Mirror, a senior member of the Joint Opposition said a final decision on Karunanayake’s no-confidence would be made this week, with the consent of the former President.

“Our stance is that he has to step down from his government. He should tender his resignation, with or without the no-confidence motion,” he said.

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake will appear before the Presidential Commission to Inquire into the Bond Scam, this morning. 

At the Bond Commission today, Karunanayake is expected to make a statement on the 'Penthouse' he allegedly leased with Arjuna Aloysius's money. 

Many observers believe that Karunanayake's statement to the commission will be a 'bombshell', in many ways.

The Bond Commission summoned Karunanayake after Anika Wijesuriya, the daughter of businessman Nihil Wijesuriya, revealed about the super-luxury apartment to the commission, last week. 

The apartment is originally owned by Anika, a classmate of Aloysius, at the Colombo International School (CIS).

At the time Karunanayake leased the super-luxury apartment in 2016, he was the Finance Minister and Aloysius was already at the centre of the Treasury Bonds controversy. 

Speaking to media a few days ago, Karunanayake said he would a comprehensive statement before the Bond Commission. 

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary and Public Enterprises Development Minister Kabir Hashim told reporters yesterday that the UNP would protect Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake in the event a no-confidence motion is brought against him by members of the party.

Addressing a press briefing at the Sirikotha yesterday the Public Enterprises Development Minister said the party would only decide on what action it would take after the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate the Treasury Bond issue concluded its investigation.

“The United National Party stands for accountability and transparency,” the Minister said. “We will take action after the Presidential Commission of Inquiry concludes its investigation. Until then, we are open,” he said, adding that if a no-confidence motion were brought against the MP before the investigation is over, they would protect him.