Gota Should Be Prosecuted

Allegations over Werass Ganga Project Ceremony

The former General Manager of the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation, Mrs. Mallika Kumari Senadheera, revealed before Colombo Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali on June 5 that former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa should be considered the main suspect in a case involving the unauthorized spending of Rs. 27.6 million (Rs. 2.76 crores) of government funds on a musical show held during the opening ceremony of the Werassa Ganga Project.

Improper Procurement and Misuse of Funds

According to Attorney Nuwan Jayawardena, appearing for Mrs. Senadheera, the celebration marking the completion of the first phase of the Werassa Ganga Project, spanning from Nugegoda to Bellanwila in Rattanapitiya, was conducted without any formal procurement process, thereby causing a significant financial loss to the government. He added that this responsibility should lie with Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The complaint, filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, was presented in court when Mrs. Senadheera was produced in remand custody.

Allegations by the Bribery Commission

Assistant Director of Legal Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sulochana Hettiarachchi, told the court that Rs. 27.6 million was allocated for a two-hour ceremony—which only involved the opening of a 3km walkway and a few stalls—despite no government allocation being made specifically for the ceremony.

She further stated that the suspect, Mrs. Senadheera, was both the General Manager and a member of the procurement committee at the time. The Bribery Commission began investigations following a complaint received on October 14, 2015, regarding the ceremony, which took place on September 9, 2014. It was alleged that the contract to organize the ceremony was awarded to a company owned by Bhatia Jayakody, without proper approval, using project funds.

Defense by the Suspect’s Attorney

Attorney Nuwan Jayawardena, appearing for the defense, requested bail on the grounds that investigations against his client had been completed. He emphasized that Mrs. Senadheera is willing to make a full statement under either the Criminal Procedure Code or the Bribery Act to reveal the entire truth.

He argued that extreme pressure was exerted on government officials during that period and that both of her predecessors had resigned due to such pressure. He further asserted:

“At the time, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the Defense Secretary, and the final rehearsal of the ceremony was attended by him. How can a government officer go above the Defense Secretary’s orders? She tried to act lawfully within the constraints given—only five days were allowed to organize the event.”

He concluded by stating:

“The real suspect is not my client, but former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Also, Bhatia and Santhush, who profited from the event, should be named as suspects.”