"Didn't 'play' commiss and educate Yasodara and Vimukthi ... sold houses and property"

"Didn't 'play' commiss and educate Yasodara and Vimukthi ... sold houses and property" 

Former President Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike's daughter is a doctor. The son is a veterinary surgeon and both of them had their further education in England. For sometime there was a dialogue which floated for sometime as to how Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike got funds to send the two of them to universities and give them this education. In the same way, there were various reports published about from where she managed to the money to engage in the transaction of Water's Edge property. An explanation made by her to a weekend
newspaper today appears below. 

"My rivals have woven various stories about the overseas education of my children. Leaving aside that ... my friends as well as supporters too were perplexed as to which story they were to believe. So ar I kept my mouth shut in this connection. But then I thought that I and on behalf of members of my family it is my duty to reveal relevant details in order to silence those criticisms. 

After completing the advanced level, Yashodara got an opportunity in gaining admission in 1998 to follow studies at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge University. In the same way, Vimukthi too qualified in gaining admission to enter University of Bristol to study veterinary medicine. In this connection, a sum of 11,000 British pounds for the first three years as education fees and another 2500 pounds had to be paid yearly separately for hotel facilities. By that period, my salary as President was Rs. 25,000 per mesem. The private income I got from estates belonging to me and in renting out my home in Rosmead Place was Rs. 300,000. Apart from that I had no other source of income and there was neither a husband nor parents to provide funds required by me. Under these circumstances I began engaging in calculations. I then noticed that if I were to avoid spending over my income other than basic necessities it would be possible to manage the financial situation. By that time, the exchange rate of a British pound was Sri Lankan Rs. eighty five. 

My daughter asked me whether I could manage the relevant finances. I told her not to worry about it and said that we would be able to spend sparingly somehow or other. Deep in my heart I had the feeling that we would in any case be able to manage the finances. I also had a belief deep in my heart that I could sell a part of Horagolla land in case of an emergency. It was a property which in fact had a substantial value. 

Whatever it is, Yashodara who began to browse the internet unaware to me managed to find a trust known as 'Common Welsh Trust' that a scholarship is donated to Commonwealth countries for students who have requirements. In this connection she had applied for it ad it was informed that a maximum of 6000 pounds annually could be given to her. That indeed was a great solace for us. Under that situation she applied for it and what she was informed was that a maximum of 6000 pounds could be given her. It indeed was great solace to us. 

Under such conditions when I searched for further information about it, I had to find a sum of only 7000 pounds. Actually it was within my reach. When searching about it what I came to know was that a friend of mine  functions as the chairperson in authority of Commonwealth committee and who at one time was the general secretary of Commonwealth committee ... Emeka. I expressed my gratitude by phoning him from Colombo to London and told him that I feel the maximum amount granted was a burden to my heart and that if Yashodara was to receive only a half of that it would be sufficient and that it could be directed towards the scholarship of some other student who would have deserved it more. The words muttered by somebody at that moment still rings in my ears. "Your honour, President ... please accept this. The world looks forward to a leader like you who expresses rare qualities of integrity and composure".

With that response of his I was highly shocked. We were friendly even after a long time. Till Vimukthi admitted himself to studies in veterinary medicine, for a period of two years I was able to handle expenditure of Yashodara of Cambridge University. While Vimukthi's educational expenses amounted to 9000 pounds, still another 2000 pounds had to be provided for hostel facilities. He too was given a scholarship of 2000 pounds. Now I have begun to feel difficulties in funds. The secondary property in my possession was sold by me at the end of Vimukthi's first semester of the university and Yashodara's third year ending on behalf of their education which is that I sold the Polhengoda house and invested them in fixed deposit schemes. 

Initially, I sold some blocks of a property owned by Vijaya ... for the sake of the education of the children. In that transaction I was able to acquire Rs. 4.5 million and immediately I directed the money for fixed deposits. When taking that investment and my monthly income together I was able to manage funds for overseas education of my children during the period 1998 to 2005. 

State leaders of other countries who have acquired positions as advisors after their retirement, I too began to search for post of advisor in the private sector. Whatever it is, Sri Lankan companies as well as overseas companies expressed consent in securing my services. They so gave their consent because they were well aware of the revengeful attitude displayed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Under such circumstances I started selling valuable items in my possession. 

I have disposed of six properties belonging to me within Colombo city within an eight year period of my life. Of this income I derived from this I bestowed a half to my children and the rest I invested in deposits which I considered of stability. In the same way in order to develop the properties I owned and spent time in management activities of the filling-station I owned. Therefore, I have been able to spend a comfortable life as well as derive an income where I am free from being annoyed with myself about the finances I own. Friends and members of my family tell me most of the time that I am sacrificial beyond limit and that I do not decline in giving loans to friends and those who are known to me. But I should say that it is my nature. 

A certain friend of mine who provide me advice on financial matters once told me as to the extent of my stupidity for not accepting any 'commission' as such and that was when I had retired and was spending my resting period in London for the first few years and was in fact facing inconvenience in attending to fulfill daily expenses. Since I felt that his thoughts could be correct, I kept silent for a moment. However, after pondering about it further, later I happened to tell him that I am proud about the manner in which I had carried out my activities under my government for two reasons. First of all, I have been able to spend my life by living with a peaceful conscience. The second is, Sri Lanka is a small country where anything could become renown. One thing I always wanted during my post-retirement period was a situation where I could walk in freedom along the streets with my head bent down without seeing my citizens spitting on my face. So I told my friend that I have achieved that status. The only wealth which I desired after years of labour dedicated to my nation was that. Every time news about any corruption in the country falling on my ears, I used to go into a state of shock and consternation. I of course cannot understand how leaders could forget their conscience like that. It was clearly observed that all foundations that I have created and established were destroyed and later and my successors had engaged in shocking heart-rending acts of crime which did not agree with the good governance maintained during my tenure. They in fact had to point out that Chandrika was not honest to show with the motive of continuing acts of corruption without any hindrance. 

The outcome of the necessity of the never-ending revenge and jealousy that prevailed about the Bandaranaikes ended up with targeting a totally vicious allegation against me. Accordingly, members of an extremist political party directing a petition against me to courts referring to the incident which has come to be known as 'Water's Edge Case'. The chief accusation made against me was a land of hundred acres in extent belonging to the state was bestowed to a friend of mine and his company in order to boost the tourist industry and thus to erect a golf playground. 

Since this is the only opportunity for whoever it is to accuse me against corruption ... I wish to forward relevant factors in brief regarding it. I can express without any guilt that in the case of the said incident or during my tenor as President, Prime Minister or Governing Minister I have not resorted to illegal or conducted myself in any other improper means of activity by using my official powers. In this connection my lawyers have produced contemporary documentary evidence in the presence of court which is absolutely clear and truthful evidence which cannot be disputed in order to confirm that nothing illegal or irregular has taken place. But all that evidence and all documentary evidence have been dismissed bu responsible institutions. 

The bestowal of those lands was a concession for investment under the sanction of the bureau of investment. From the day this bureau of investment was initiated during the Jayawardene regime; regulations were imposed to attract direct foreign investments to the country. The investment bureau was enforced various procedures of relief under the previous regime. Even before my government came into power, in the year 1994 itself among other matters, transferring of properties belonging to the state were included in it. 

Whatever it is, I did not hasten to think about the concessionary concept for these investment schemes with the idea of helping any investor with any cunning thoughts in my mind as such. It was with the onset of the North East civil war that concessions so offered began to go up in a considerable manner and that was with the motive of luring investors who showed a liking to invest here. Apart from that, special concessions were bestowed by government for special types of projects which the government assumed as important. On the month of June in the yer 1995 a part of the national economic development proposed by my government and approved by parliament, with the objective of attracting a maximum number of investments I thought of increasing concessions bestowed on investors by the government ... thus forwarding points in that connection. 

Following my principles of good governance, I took steps to strengthen principles and guidance about transparency. In that respect, all facilities provided for APGC project (Water's Edge) were neck and crop were in accordance with these regulations and guidelines. In this instance all procedures enforced as shown below were followed.

As decided upon by the judiciary, these two institutions, namely, if the board of investments and urban development authority had functioned according to orders / instructions of former President (Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike), under the situation that those institutions are no longer within my control, it is very clear that those institutions would definitely bring the relevant information before court. But they have failed to do so. I therefore I wish to most earnestly mention once again that every cabinet paper prepared as special or recommending other concessions ... before forwarding such recommendations to the minister concerned, I reiterate that the chairman of the board of investment should secure approval of the administration board of investment and it should be prepared by following new rules that have been introduced. I have approved and brought this before the cabinet only after following all procedures as is due.