Gotabaya testifies for 3 hours at the Bribery Commission regarding improper housing unit allocations

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (17) recorded a lengthy statement from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa regarding an incident where several houses in a housing complex located in a suburb of Colombo were illegally given to various individuals. In accordance with a notice issued by the Commission in line with the relevant investigation, the former President arrived there yesterday morning around 8:30 AM, and after giving the statement for nearly three hours, he left the Commission.

Previously, when Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeared before the Bribery Commission for questioning, protests against him were reported with extensive media coverage, but this time, nothing of the sort occurred. At that time, there was also extensive media coverage arguing that it was inappropriate to question the hero who saved the country in this manner, but Gotabaya arrived there yesterday almost secretly and left almost secretly.

This incident is based on the accusation that Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, during his tenure as the Secretary of Defence, illegally issued letters of recommendation for the transfer of units in the said housing complex. The Commission has already launched a comprehensive investigation into this matter.

He had previously been informed to appear before the Commission on February 13th to give a statement related to this investigation. However, on February 12th, he had informed the Commission in writing that he would not be able to attend on that day due to a pre-arranged trip to Singapore, and requested another date for the appearance.

Responding to that request made by the former President, and according to the new date provided by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, he thus appeared before the Commission yesterday and gave the relevant statement.