A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Monday, July 17, 2017
Gota says he never approved dismantling of KKS cement factory
Kamani Alwis-Monday, July 17, 2017
Former Defence Secretary Gotabahya Rajapaksa has stated that he never
approved the dismantling of the Kankesanturai (KKS) Cement Factory and
cement company and sale of its machinery and equipment as scrap iron. He
had also not seen any document granting approval for it signed by him
either.
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had stated this in an affidavit submitted to the
Presidential Commission Investigating Alleged Acts of Fraud or
Corruption abuse of former State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC).
The affidavit had been submitted against two former Senior Army officers
including an Army Commander and a former high ranking state official.
The PRECIFAC is conducting investigations into an alleged fraud
involving the dismantling of the Kankasanturai Cement Factory reported
to be in a re-operational condition and the cement company and the sale
of the machinery and equipment as scrap iron for over Rs.100 million by
the Army during the previous regime.
This alleged fraud was disclosed by State Counsel Senior Attorney Janaka
Bandara during submissions made before PRECIFAC about AN alleged act of
fraud and corruption committed during the Rajapaksa regime from 2011 to
2015. Documents relating to this alleged fraud were found during
investigations made by the Commissions. Former Additional Secretary to
the Defence Ministry Siripala Hettiarachchi had made an official note at
the Ministry to the effect that former Defence Secretary Gotabahaya
Rajapaksa told him that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had
sanctioned the sale of this stock of iron. Another note at the ministry
stated that Internal Auditor R.M. Premachiandra had pointed out the need
for Cabinet approval to effort the sale.
The machinery and equipment at the cement factory had been manufactured
in the UK and Germany. The German machinery and equipment carried a 100
year guarantee from the manufacturers.
Investigations revealed that this stock of iron had been sold to one
Siraz Mohamed and Yusuf Asthan and a retired Army officer named E.M.V.
Ekanayake. A sum of Rs. 75 million had been realised as proceeds from
the stock sold to Ekanayake.
It was revealed that this action had been taken by the Army in an
arbitrary manner without any acquisition of the Cement Corporation
premises situated in an area of 741 acres, State Council Senior Attorney
Janaka Bandara making submissions made for he prosecution said. These
had been made with written evidence during investigations made by
Constables Herath and Wijesinghe under the supervision of Sub Inspector
Herath,former Army Commander Daya Ratnayake, former Commander Jaffna
Security forces Headquaers Maj.Gen.Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Maj.Gen. Udaya
Annesley Perera, Additional Secretary Defence Ministry Siripala
Hettarachchi, Yousuf Asthan and Siriaz Mohamed appeared as defendants
before the commissions.