How Rajapaksa Played Santa Claus With State Funds

• Presidential Secretariat spent billions of rupees for hiring luxury vehicles for ex-President’s friends, family and cronies

by Nirmala Kannangara- Sunday, April 03, 2016

Following last week’s expose titled ‘Weerawansa Family and Friends’ Joyride at State Expense’  shocking revelations have now come to light as to how the Presidential Secretariat under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa spent several millions of rupees to lease luxury vehicles for those who were near and dear to him.

Similar to how the State Engineering Corporation (SEC) under Wimal Weerawansa hired vehicles without following government tender procedure, the Presidential Secretariat under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa too had hired vehicles from parties known to them without following tender procedure. Amongst the beneficiaries of these vehicles were former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, the Youth Affairs Unit which is alleged to be the arm of Namal Rajapaksa’s Nil Balakaya, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s younger brother Chandra Rajapaksa, brother-in law Dr. Lalith Chandradasa and nephews Malaka Chandradasa and Himal Hettiarachchi.

Apart from the immediate family members, certain parliamentarians, temples, Rajapaksa’s party offices in the Hambantota district, close relatives and even the National Freedom Front (NFF) of Wimal Weerawansa have benefitted from the Presidential Secretariat.

According to the vehicle lease report The Sunday Leader is in possession of, five motor cars bearing registration numbers KM 8583, KP 2383, KR 5382, KP 2382 and GY 9384 were leased on November one, 2013, January one, 2014, November one, 2013, October 24, 2014 and May one, 2014 for close relatives to the tune of Rs. 50, 000, Rs.45,000, Rs.120,000, Rs.50,000 and Rs.50,000 per month respectively.

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