by

Chaminda Perera

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry yesterday questioned former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa over a series of allegations.

He was questioned for six hours. Rajapaksa arrived at the BMICH premises, where the Commission is housed, with two security personnel.

The former Defence Secretary, when asked by journalists about the charges against him, said it was a trivial matter.

Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has faced an array of charges related to abuse of power and state resources while holding the office as Defence Secretary, Presidential Commission of Inquiry sources said yesterday.

According to the Commission’s Secretary and former Director of Parliament Lacille de Silva these allegations include deploying 500 Civil Defence Force personnel for the last presidential election campaign on the orders of the former Defence Secretary.

De Silva said these CDF personnel were ordered to get involved in the last presidential election campaign in civies. He said the employees of Rakna Lanka Secuirty Services were allegedly deployed in the last presidential election campaign in Kesbewa, Maharagama and Nugegoda areas. De Silva said the Commission has been conducting a thorough investigation into the activities of Rakna Lanka Security Services and the investigations have reached the final phase.

He said the Commission received complaints that the government had not received funds for renting weapons to security organisations.

De Silva said the funds allocated to the Negombo Lagoon Development project amounting to over Rs. 13 million had been used to conduct an election rally in Negombo at the last Presidential election and investigations into this incident are also continuing.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into serious acts of fraud, corruption and abuse of power and state resources and privileges was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena. The Commission has been mandated to summon any person and question them on the mass scale charges of corruption and misuse of public funds and property.

The Commission comprises four High Court Judges – Preethi Padman Surasena (chairman), Amandra Seneviratne, Vikum Kaluaarachchi and Gihan Kulathunga. The Commission has been ordered to submit interim reports and the final report within a period of one year.

The Commission will refer their findings to the Commission to Investigate the Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, the Police and the law enforcement authorities for further action with their recommendations.

Courtesy:Daily News