News
16 former ministers face asset freeze by CIABOC
View(s):Allegedly obtained compensation for Aragalaya arson through false reports; Chamal and Shasheendra Rajapaksa among those to be questioned
By Ranjith Padmasiri
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is to take measures to freeze the assets of 16 former ministers over the coming days, Commission sources said.
The politicians are among those who allegedly obtained compensation after providing false reports claiming their properties were damaged or destroyed during the ‘Aragalaya’ period.
As a first step in the Bribery Commission’s upcoming measures, former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and his son Shasheendra Rajapaksa are to be summoned before the Commission next week.
The CIABOC’s investigations have uncovered that the father-son Rajapaksa duo had allegedly obtained over Rs. 1.5 million as compensation for property in Tissamaharama they claimed had been destroyed during the Aragalaya period.
While former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa had obtained compensation for a house and other property in Magama that he had allegedly claimed had been set alight and destroyed,subsequent investigations have uncovered that he did not own the property he had obtained compensation for. Two persons under whose names the destroyed properties were registered have told investigators that they did not receive any compensation for the properties.
Compensation, however, had been awarded to Chamal and Shasheendra Rajapaksa for the property in question. It has also been uncovered that the property did not contain a house but a paddy storage facility. Investigators are now looking into who authorised compensation payments for the Rajapaksas in violation of established circulars and the law.
The CIABOC is to initially freeze the assets of many of the politicians under investigation for seven days using powers vested with the Commission. It will then report facts to a high court and request an order extending the freeze for three months.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!