Gota, who spoke for two hours about the secretary's conduct, leaves the CCIB.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was summoned to the Central Criminal Investigation Department this morning (09). This was to obtain a statement regarding an ongoing investigation concerning a close associate who served as his private secretary during his tenure.

According to an official summons issued by the Bureau, the former President arrived there this morning and provided a statement regarding the relevant investigation for two and a half hours. After giving his lengthy statement, he left the Bureau.

The main suspect in this investigation is Mr. Sugeeshwara Bandara, who is also the leader of the New People's Front. He also served as Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa's private secretary when Mr. Rajapaksa was the President of this country.

The main accusation against Mr. Sugeeshwara Bandara is that he misused government funds by simultaneously drawing salaries from two state institutions during the same period. Arrested on this charge of financial misappropriation, he is currently held in remand custody.

This two-and-a-half-hour statement obtained from the former head of state has become an important record in the ongoing legal investigation concerning the financial affairs of his former secretary, who is currently in remand custody.