By Shamindra Ferdinando-December 12, 2015, 8:37 am
Former Economic Affairs Minister Basil Rajapaksa will be summoned soon by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) to explain payments amounting to over Rs. 156 mn to the SLAF for using fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.
Former Accountant at the Economic Affairs Ministry M. M. J. N. R. Fernando on Thursday told the PRECIFAC that Divineguma funds to the tune of nearly Rs 157 mn had been utilized to pay the SLAF.
The commission comprises four High Court judges namely Preethi Padman Surasena (Chairman), Amandra Seneviratne, Vikum Kaluarachchi and Gihan Kulathunga. Retired Director
(Administration) of Parliament Lacille de Silva is Secretary to the Commission.
Fernando, now with the Prime Minister’s Office revealed the payments made at the behest of the then SLFP strongman until the very end of the Rajapaksa administration. PRECIFAC sources told The Island that the SLAF had cooperated with the investigation launched on the basis of a petition received by them. Sources said that investigators would inquire into the possibility of Minister Rajapaksa’s wife Pushpa, too, having used the SLAF aircraft.
Responding to a query by The Island, sources said that Basil Rajapaksa’s bill was undoubtedly the biggest ever for a single minister. The SLAF had made available a detailed report regarding the aircraft and helicopters made available to the former Minister.
Basil Rajapaksa didn’t seek nominations from the UPFA to contest the Aug. 17 parliamentary polls.
Sources alleged that the Secretary to the Economic Affairs Ministry as well as its accountant, too, were responsible for brazen violation of financial regulations.
