Non-payment of ITN bill:MR faces public hearing

PB, Lalith, Keheliya, Dallas and Anura, too, face inquiry

by Shamindra Ferdinando-September 24, 2015, 12:00 pm 

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa now faces a public hearing over the alleged non-payment of Rs. 115 mn owed to the state-run Independent Television Network (ITN) for carrying advertisements during the last presidential campaign.

 Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges on Wednesday recorded former President’s statement at his Mirihana residence.

 Secretary to the Commission, Lacille de Silva yesterday told The Island that a special police team headed by ASP Lalith Abeysekera had recorded the former president’s statement. The team included Chief Inspector Geethika Bodhipaksha.

 Responding to a query, De Silva, formerly of the top level administration staff of parliament said the ITN file would be soon brought to the notice of the presidential commission. The Presidential Commission comprises four High Court judges, namely Preethi Padman Surasena (Chairman), Amendra Seneviratne, Vikum Kaluarachchi, Gihan Kulathunga and former Auditor General P. A. Premathilake. The Attorney General’s Department is represented by Senior State Counsels Sudarshana de Silva and Janaka Bandara.

 Lacille de Silva said that the hearing of the ITN case would be the third since the launch of the commission during the Maithripala Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration’s 100-day programme. Controversial Negombo lagoon development project, as well as Rakna Araksha Lanka Limited, is being heard before the presidential commission at the BMICH.

 The official said that a retired president had never been compelled to give a statement to the police.

The presidential commission recorded statements from Secretary to the Treasury Dr P. B. Jayasundera, presidential secretary Lalith Weeratunga, MP Keheliya Rambukwelle, MP Dallas Alahapperuma and then ITN Chairman Anura Siriwardene.

 Former President on Wednesday alleged that the presidential commission was engaged in a media circus.