-By A Staff Writer
(Lanka-e-News -12.Nov.2024, 11.30 pm) In what sounds like a plotline straight from a political thriller, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe made an attempt to “emigrate” — some might say “evacuate” — to Australia, allegedly to dodge a laundry list of legal inquiries from Sri Lanka’s newly installed administration. As the Anura Kumara-led government prepares to dig into accusations ranging from financial misconduct to human rights violations, it seems Ranil thought a one-way ticket might be his best defense.
Sources report that just before boarding, Ranil was spotted carrying a rather conspicuously large bag and wearing sunglasses at night. When questioned about his hasty departure, the former president was allegedly heard muttering, “I’ve always dreamed of seeing the Great Barrier Reef.” But the timing, especially given the brewing storm of accusations, has left Sri Lankans wondering if he was more interested in a “Great Barrier” between him and impending investigations.
The government, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has made it clear that the former President’s records won’t be swept under any red carpets. Anura’s administration has promised thorough investigations into historical child abuse accusations, torture claims, and charges of extrajudicial killings — the list seems almost as long as Ranil’s political career. Add to this a “greatest hits” of accusations including financial misdeeds like the infamous bond scam, sweetheart deals involving state-owned enterprises, and alleged misuse of presidential powers, and it’s easy to see why Ranil might be feeling Australia’s call.
One particularly thorny matter involves charges related to abuses during the 1983 riots. “He can say he’s a man of peace all he likes,” commented one Colombo resident, “but it seems a few skeletons in his closet are refusing to stay put.”
Ranil’s reputation as a shrewd political operator may have served him well in the past, but with Anura at the helm, a different kind of “leadership” is in town. And let’s be honest — trying to outwit Anura, who has famously made integrity his battle cry, might have been a miscalculation.
“The new president has promised to go after corruption with a broom and a magnifying glass,” joked one political analyst, “and apparently Ranil was the first on his list for a sweep.”
Anura’s pledge to root out abuse of power, investigate the bond scam, and uncover irregular sales of state-owned assets has won him broad public support. His mission to address the ghosts of Sri Lanka’s political past has resonated, leaving ex-President Ranil looking a little… uncomfortable.
While Ranil may have been hoping for some fresh air in Australia, the idea of him enjoying a relaxing life Down Under has sparked plenty of jokes back home. Social media is abuzz with comments like, “Ranil couldn’t face Anura’s questions, so he thought he’d go look for kangaroos instead!” Others speculate that he may have planned to start a “Sri Lankan Political Refugee” club.
After his unsuccessful bid to fly, it appears the former president will be staying in Sri Lanka after all, with Anura’s administration hot on his trail. Whether this new chapter will mark the beginning of long-awaited accountability or simply another episode in Sri Lanka’s endless political soap opera remains to be seen.
As the investigation ramps up, one thing is clear: while Ranil may have tried to turn this into a real-life game of “Catch Me if You Can,” Sri Lanka is proving it has the will — and the watchfulness — to keep its former leaders from disappearing into the sunset.
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by (2024-11-12 18:35:54)
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