Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema is said to be involved in sheltering those suspect of wrongdoing in the previous regime.

A 36-perch extent of land adjacent to the Welikada Police in the Kotte municipal area is said to have been encroached on by the Minister.

Former Municipal Commissioner Janaka Ranawaka upon inspection found that the land was being used by a company known as Speville Ceylon Private Ltd.

When questioned, an officer attached to Speville Ceylon Private Ltd. said the company was formerly owned by Minister Malik Samarawickrema but ‘management had changed.’

But what the officer didn’t reveal at questioning was that Minister Malik Samarawickrema was a shareholder at Speville Ceylon Private Ltd and had sat on the Board several times.

Records show that Minister Samarawickrema resigned from the Board of Speville Ceylon Private Ltd. in October 2008, to be reappointed in May 2011.

He resigns from the Board once more in October 2011, to be reappointed in November 2011 before resigning once again in August 2015.

In December 2016, two new directors are appointed to the board of Speville Ceylon Private Ltd. – Nandana Lokuvithana and Mallika Yaddehige.

Nandana Lokuvithana is said to be involved in several dubious transactions that occurred during the former regime including the purchase of the Dubai Marriott Hotel.

Lokuvithana is said to be the ‘front man’ to several transactions conducted by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The fact that he is working so closely with current Minister Malik Samarawickrema is proof that scoundrels in the former regime are working hand-in-hand with top members of the current government.