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| Sunday, 02 April 2006 |
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Politics |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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I cannot be bribed - Sanghadasa by Our Political Correspondent Former (UNP) Colombo Municipal Councillor, T. M. Sanghadasa, whose name was 'tippexed' allegedly by the cahoots of the Maharoof-Moragoda combine from the controversial CMC nomination list, walked into the Sunday Observer editorial this week with a cash cheque he had found in his letter box, to reveal the following story.
Sanghadasa said that on March 24, 2006 around 11.00 a.m.(after the UNP application in the Court of Appeal was dismissed), he had received a telephone call on his mobile from telephone number 0112446329. The caller had identified himself as Mohamed Maharoof, the UNP Parliamentarian for Colombo Central in the Colombo District. Sanghadasa was quite certain the voice was that of Maharoof's as he had worked closely with the latter at the last presidential election. Later, they had fallen out over an issue relating to an establishment of an Art Circle in Colombo. Elaborating on the telephone conversation, Sanghadasa claimed that Maharoof had appeared to be disturbed over the court decision that went against the UNP and had pleaded to stop the wrangle with him and Milinda Moragoda. He had told him that he had sent a 'small gift' which will be in his letter box and wanted him to collect it adding, that Milinda and J. K. Fernando (Former Chairman-Development Lotteries Board and Proprietor of Care Kleen Services Ltd) would offer ten times more than what was in the gift, Sanghadasa claimed. According to Sanghadasa, the cheque has been issued from a 'closed Account' and the National Mercantile Bank founded by Messrs: Milinda Moragoda and Maharoof which is now defunct. "Issuing a cheque from an account in a bank not in existence is a criminal act", he added. After the call, Sanghadasa found the envelope, with a cheque drawn for Rs. 500,000 from the National Mercantile Bank (MERC Bank) of which both Moragoda and Maharoof were earlier share holders. Sanghadasa says he is confident that the signature on the cheque is that of Maharoof. Sanghadasa already annoyed over the political manoeuvres of Maharoof said that Maharoof had destroyed his political future by reportedly 'tippexing' his name from the nomination list. "He cannot use his dirty tricks to buy me over. The UNP must take stern action against this man who has tampered with the list that had resulted in it being rejected. Adding insult to injury he is trying to insult me", Sanghadasa expressed his anger. He said that if the CID or the Police could rush through to investigate a false and fabricated allegation like 'Helping Hambantota', IGP Chandra Fernando should take prompt action in this case as it is tantamount to bribery. "I am prepared to assist the police by producing the cheque, relevant telephone numbers along with a complaint", Sanghadasa added. Attempts to contact Parliamentarian Maharoof by the Sunday Observer
proved futile as his telephones were switched off. |
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