Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Presidential Secretariat asks McKenzie for details on report

27 August 2016 10:35 am - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Presidential Secretariat (PS) has requested the Australian-based Fairfax journalist Nick McKenzie for more information on the allegations which appeared in the Australian media implicating President Maithripala Sirisena.

Claiming he had no knowledge about the allegations in the Australian media reports that he had requested Rs.2.5 million from the Australia-based Snowy Mountain Engineering Company (SMEC ), President Sirisena has asked for the names of those involved.

“With regard to your questions involving the SMEC, we would like to communicate that he has no knowledge of the alleged incident and in order to ascertain the involvement of any of his office staff during the period he served as the Minister of Mahaweli Development, he would like to know more details about the allegation, such as the name of the person involved, the mode of communication, exact date of the incident, any proof of communication and any proof of solicitation etc,” he said.

Mr. McKenzie, who had written the news report had posed the following questions to the President: Either he or his co-coordinating secretary had met SMEC's Sri Lankan manager Mr. Dasanayake or any SMEC representative in early June 2009 and requested a donation or funds? If so, why was this request made? Did Mr Sirisena or his co-coordinating secretary request that SMEC pay a percentage of the Project that Mr Sirisena was to sign in Cabinet, to Mr. Sirisena, his political party or a representative? Did Mr Sirisena or his political party receive any funds or donations from the SMEC?
How does Mr Sirisena or his office or secretary respond to the allegations that he or they had sought a bribe from the SMEC in June 2009 in the form of a political donation in return for signing the Project contract in Cabinet?

Will Mr Sirisena assist police investigations in Australia into these allegations?
In response to his intimation, the Presidential Secretariat has written to McKenzie asking for more information on the allegations.

"In the wake of President Sirisena being committed to a zero-corruption policy, he would willingly collaborate in any investigation conducted by the Australian government into the alleged incident. He will also instruct the relevant local authorities to investigate into the allegation," Mr. McKenzie was told.

Meanwhile, President Sirisena drew his personal attention to the report published in the Australian website Sydney Herald that referred to some alleged incident of an employee of his office, when he served as the Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Services.

The President states that he has no connection whatsoever in such an incident. He instructed the Attorney-General yesterday to investigate the matter and emphasized that during his political career, he had never indulged in any form of corruption or malpractice or encouraged or involved in any such activity. (Sandun A Jayasekera)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 10

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • GD Saturday, 27 August 2016 10:54 AM

    very good decision of Presidential Secretariat.

    annoyed Saturday, 27 August 2016 11:41 AM

    Good move. It is in the interest of President and SL to find out who is behind this. Also Auatralian reporter should be prosecuted if proven wrong.

    Reader Saturday, 27 August 2016 11:47 AM

    Presidents office should go through this allegation in full and publish the truth for everyone to know. If the reporter is faulty then take action against him without fail.

    Roger Saturday, 27 August 2016 11:52 AM

    We have never heard Mr Sirisena's involvement in any corrupt deals. Yet it is good these investigation is on cos we know he will be cleared of all this allegation. To those who wants him to bow down I say He will have the last laugh

    Nimal Saturday, 27 August 2016 12:08 PM

    Our President Sirisena is NOT a member of Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves! The journalist must have got his facts wrong.

    waco Saturday, 27 August 2016 02:27 PM

    Australian Police mean Business. They will not leave a single stone un-turned.They are well Trained,Brave and Clever.

    Waco Sunday, 28 August 2016 05:11 AM

    My3, why are you so excited?

    truth Sunday, 28 August 2016 09:23 AM

    looks like yet another Duminda Silva incident via DM Android App

    MK Sunday, 28 August 2016 12:16 PM

    More info so that he can come up with a theory to hide the truth

    mohandev Sunday, 28 August 2016 05:51 PM

    If he has nothing to hide, hand over the investigation to BC


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H

MIRROR CRICKET

More