The Bribery Commission today informed Colombo Fort Magistrate that is has already commenced a preliminary inquiry into the sum of Rs. 17.85 million recovered from the President's House on 9th July, 2022.
The Bribery Commission informed Court that it commenced an investigation into the incident pursuant to a complaint lodged by Puravesi Balaya Organisation. Accordingly, Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage directed the Bribery Commission that the progress of the investigation be informed to the court on next hearing date.
The Court had earlier issued a notice directing the Director General of Bribery Commission to appear in court on March 31 to inquiry whether a sum of Rs. 17.85 million recovered from the President's House on 9th July, 2022 would come under the offences relating to the Bribery Act.
On a previous occasion, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa through his lawyer claimed his rights for the amount of Rs. 17.85 million recovered from the President's House.
However, defence counsel raised objections for releasing said amount to the former President and said prosecution has to ascertain whether there are offences committed under Money Laundering Act and Bribery Act.
In their further report CID said they had recorded a statement from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 6th of February regarding ongoing investigations into the sum of Rs. 17.8 Million recovered by protesters inside the President's House.
According to the former President’s statement he has stated that money found inside the President’s Office had belonged to him but he was unable to take care of them due to prevailing security situation on that occasion. He has told police the sum of money that belonged to him was to be distributed among the people whose houses were destroyed by the protesters.
Further magisterial inquiry fixed for May 3. Defence Counsel Rienzie Arsekularatne PC with Maithri Gunaratne PC and Counsel Udara Muhandiramge appeared for the suspects in the case.(Lakmal Sooriyagoda)
( Information from dailymirror.lk was used in this report. ALL RESPECT GOES TO ORIGINAL WRITER OF THIS ARTICLE. | Also if you have any problem of this article or if you need to remove this articles, please email here and we will delete this immediately. [email protected] )