Thu, Jun 28, 2018, 09:27 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
June 28, Colombo: Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment Ranjan Ramanayake today lodged a complaint with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of police requesting an inquiry into allegations revealed by the New York Times that former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had received money from China Harbor company for his election campaign.
The New York Times on Monday (June 25) reported published an article reporting that the Chinese company has given over $ 7 million to former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's 2015 election campaign.
The news has now been subjected to heavy local as well as international controversy and hence the Deputy Minister has requested an investigation into the allegations.
According to the New York Times article "How China Got Sri Lanka to Cough Up a Port" by Maria Abi-Habib during the 2015 presidential elections, large payments from the Chinese port construction fund flowed directly to campaign aides and activities for Mr. Rajapaksa.
The report said the payments were confirmed by documents and cash checks detailed in a government investigation seen by The New York Times.
According to a document seen by the New York Times, at least $7.6 million was dispensed from China Harbor's account at Standard Chartered Bank to affiliates of Mr. Rajapaksa's election campaign.
With 10 days to go before polls opened on January 8, 2015, around $3.7 million was distributed in checks: $678,000 to print campaign T-shirts and other promotional material and $297,000 to buy supporters gifts, including women's saris.
Another $38,000 was paid to a popular Buddhist monk who was supporting Mr. Rajapaksa's electoral bid, while two checks totaling $1.7 million were delivered by volunteers to Temple Trees, his official residence, the report said.
Most of the payments were from a subaccount controlled by China Harbor, named "HPDP Phase 2," shorthand for Hambantota Port Development Project.
The NY Times report also states that these corrupt transactions with Chinese companies have violated international tender procedures and the contract terms have adversely affected Sri Lanka.