-By Our Colombo Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -12.Feb.2025, 8.45 PM) If Colombo’s political scene had a soap opera, Krishantha Prasad Cooray would undoubtedly be its most flamboyant character. From boardrooms to backrooms, Cooray has long cultivated the image of a man who knows everyone and can get anything done—for the right price, of course. But his latest claim? That he has control over none other than Sri Lanka’s President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Yes, the same Anura Kumara Dissanayake who leads the National People’s Power (NPP) with a platform of transparency and anti-corruption.
Cooray’s boasts, whispered into the ears of businessmen in Colombo and abroad, are that he was the mastermind behind a “mega shipping investment deal” in Sri Lanka, thanks to his supposed sway over the president. The only problem? It’s a complete fabrication. But in Sri Lanka, even the most outlandish political lies can cause real damage, especially when reputations—and government credibility—are on the line.
So, who is Krishantha Prasad Cooray, and why is he suddenly the self-proclaimed puppet master of Sri Lankan politics? Let’s dive into the tangled web of ambition, connections, and outright fiction that Cooray seems determined to weave.
In Colombo’s elite circles, Cooray has positioned himself as the ultimate middleman—a fixer who can grease the wheels of any deal, large or small. His recent claim to fame? That he brokered a massive shipping investment deal purely because of his alleged “control” over President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
For those familiar with President Anura’s fiercely independent stance and his government’s commitment to clean governance, Cooray’s claims are not just laughable—they’re dangerous. The NPP, which has worked hard to distance itself from the shady dealings of previous administrations, now faces a serious PR problem thanks to Cooray’s tall tales.
But Cooray’s boasts don’t stop at shipping deals. His impressive property portfolio, including prime real estate in Austin Place and Cinnamon Gardens, has also raised more than a few eyebrows. The question isn’t just how he acquired these properties, but with whose help.
Sources suggest Cooray’s property acquisitions were facilitated through dubious connections, including his dealings with the infamous former Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) Chief Ravi Waidyalankara. Even murkier are Cooray’s ties to a figure named Edwards, allegedly involved in criminal financial activities in the U.S., with links stretching to Naveen Dissanayake and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.
If these claims hold water, Cooray’s financial dealings are less about savvy investments and more about leveraging political networks for personal gain. The NPP, now inadvertently entangled in Cooray’s self-created narrative, risks being painted with the same corrupt brush unless swift action is taken.
Cooray’s newfound Malaysian residency permit is another puzzle in his increasingly complicated story. Ostensibly acquired through investment, the real question is: Where did the money come from?
While most people dream of leisurely vacations in Kuala Lumpur, Cooray treats it like a weekend getaway, flying between Colombo and Malaysia with the frequency of someone commuting from Wellawatte to Bambalapitiya. This jet-setting lifestyle has only fueled more rumors, including whispers about money laundering and illicit business deals abroad.
For a man who claims to control the highest office in Sri Lanka, Cooray’s constant absences from the country suggest a man more interested in international wheeling and dealing than actual political influence.
Cooray’s alleged influence doesn’t stop at business deals and property. Rumors suggest he also had a hand in appointing one of his relatives to a diplomatic post. This wouldn’t be newsworthy—if the diplomat in question weren’t closely linked to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s notoriously anti-Muslim policies, including the controversial forced cremation directive.
For a government that prides itself on inclusivity and justice, any association with figures tied to such divisive policies is a ticking time bomb. Whether Cooray’s claims are true or not, the mere suggestion that he influenced diplomatic appointments is enough to cause serious concern within the NPP.
Adding fuel to the fire is Cooray’s connection to Hans Wijesuriya, the chairman of Dialog Axiata and recently appointed Digital Advisor to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The two were reportedly classmates, and some insiders suggest that Cooray may have played a role in Wijesuriya’s appointment.
While there’s no solid evidence linking Cooray to this decision, the optics are troubling. If Cooray can successfully convince the public—and potential investors—that he has the power to influence such high-profile appointments, it could severely undermine the NPP’s hard-won reputation for independence and integrity.
For the NPP, which came to power promising a new era of clean governance, the Krishanth Cooray saga is more than just an annoying distraction—it’s a potential crisis. In politics, perception is everything, and allowing opportunistic figures like Cooray to use the government’s name for personal gain could erode public trust faster than any policy failure.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his team must act swiftly and decisively to distance themselves from Cooray and others like him. The message must be clear: the NPP will not tolerate individuals who seek to exploit political connections for personal profit.
At the end of the day, Krishanth Prasad Cooray’s claims of controlling the President of Sri Lanka might make for entertaining cocktail party chatter, but they highlight a deeper issue in Sri Lankan politics: the persistent influence of shadowy middlemen who thrive on the illusion of power.
Whether Cooray is a master manipulator or just another Colombo socialite with a flair for exaggeration, his antics have exposed a critical vulnerability in the NPP’s public image. As the government continues to navigate the complex waters of governance, one thing is certain: they must remain vigilant against those who seek to undermine their credibility from within.
For now, Cooray remains a cautionary tale of ambition, deception, and the lengths some will go to stay in the spotlight. But in the unforgiving world of politics, not every tall tale has a happy ending—and Krishanth Prasad Cooray may soon find himself on the wrong side of the story.
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by (2025-02-12 15:17:08)
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