Chamal Rajapaksa Appears Before Bribery Commission

 Former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today (01). The former minister reported to the Commission to provide a statement related to an ongoing investigation.

Previously, the government newspaper Silumina reported that the former Speaker was likely to be arrested within the next few days, stemming from an incident involving claims for compensation for property damage that occurred during the chaotic situation on May 09, 2022.

Although Mr. Chamal Rajapaksa had claimed damages to his house and property located in Magama, Tissamaharama, requesting over 15 million rupees (Rs. 15.2 million) from the government, investigations have revealed that the land in question does not belong to him and there are no residential buildings on it. It has also been revealed that only a paddy storage facility exists there.

Although the former minister had submitted an affidavit stating that the property was in his possession, further investigation confirmed that the land was registered under someone else's name. Nevertheless, an appraisal report issued in July 2023 stated that there was a house valued at Rs. 14.8 million and a storage room with damages exceeding two hundred thousand rupees on the said land.

It is reported that despite the Ministry of Public Administration informing the relevant authorities that compensation payments for this incident could not be made, the full amount was paid. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has initiated action to question this misuse of public funds, and the newspaper report further states that legal action will also be taken against the government officials who approved these payments.