In a statement, Rajakaruna says,

Dilan Perera should immediately declare to the country the underhand transactions of the employment quota given by the Government of Italy to this country. The employment racket in which Dilan is featured in is a mega fraud which deprived the youth of this country who are aspiring for foreign employment. Foreign Employment Bureau which was established by the UNP government in 1977 for the promotion and procurement of foreign employment provided employment opportunities to several thousands of youth of this country. They seek job opportunities mostly in countries like Italy Malaysia, South Korea and Singapore.

Dilan Perera whilst functioning as the Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion in the government of the Kurunegala District candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa has earned from irregular transactions a large amount of money from willful mishandling of the Italy’s employment quota granted to Sri Lanka. 600 visas had been granted on this quota from Italy in 2014 out of which Sri Lanka’s youth received only 100 visas. The balance 500 had been sold to Sri Lankans staying in Italy illegally without proper visa. It is said that each visa fetched Rs. 1.5 million. The 100 visas issued locally had been given to personal associates. Majority of this number had been given on a list provided by a young Member of Parliament who gave leadership to the “Tharunyata Hetak Program” and had a command even over the ministers of the Cabinet.

The most irregular aspect of this corrupt transaction was the taking over of the recruitment process from the Foreign Employment Bureau (which is the statutory body responsible for such activity) and Dilan Perera’s getting directly involved of the process. The process which commences with the calling for applications and acting in a transparent manner was overlooked this time. The Ministry had taken charge of it opening the way for this large employment racket. Thus, a large treasure of public funds had been diverted to personal accounts held abroad which is both shameful and illegal. Dilan should now declare immediately who deposited this money and who holds those funds in foreign banks.

The unfortunate outcome of this foreign employment racket was the suspension of the Italian foreign employment quota by authorities of that country. Dilan should now explain at the next media briefing how and why it happened that way; may be that he keeps a vial of poison to relieve himself of the discomfiture.

However, as a result of the recent discussions held by the present Chairman of the Foreign Employment Bureau, the Italian authorities have now agreed to grant 300 employment opportunities out of the 600 lost by the country. The fact that we were able to get even this reduced number is a victory for the youth of this country achieved by the Yaha Palanaya Government. It is our responsibility to defeat this set of rogues who made money out of the employment opportunities meant for the innocent youth of this country thus tarnishing Sri Lanka’s international image.

When we witness the comical acts of Dilan Perera at the UPFA media briefings by demonstrating vials of poison and empty pots, we are reminded of the ostrich hiding its head in the sand.