Channa and Upuli deny charging Rs. 15m

25 October 2015 03:00 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Popular artistes Channa and Upuli Wijewardena, the owners of Channa-Upuli Dance Academy today rejected reports that they had been given over 15 million rupees for their dancing performances at the opening ceremony of phase one of the Hambantota Harbour.

Issuing a media statement, they said they had been given Rs. 6. 8 million for their contribution at the opening ceremony.

"We have provided all the relevant documents in this regard before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC), to prove we had been given only Rs. 6.8 million," the statement said.

The statement said the Academy had to recruit about 200 dancers for the performances and stay in Hambantota for two months prior to the opening ceremony. It also said they had to provide accommodation facilities for 250 artistes during the same period.

The two artistes appeared before PRECIFAC on Thursday to give a statement on the amount of money they had received as fees for performing at the opening ceremony.

The statement further said the reports that they had charged Rs. 15 million rupees had attempted to portray them as wrongdoers.

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Comments - 8

K.Senarathne Sunday, 25 October 2015 09:07 PM

Its undeniable that they profited immensely from the MR regime dancing at every major ceremony

Bala Sunday, 25 October 2015 09:10 PM

So did the organiers bill the govt for 15 million and pay Channa

Bala Sunday, 25 October 2015 09:12 PM

So did the organisers bill the govt. for Rs.15 million and pay Channa and Upuli only 6.888M - only an audit of the ceremony accounts will reveal it.

Mandy Monday, 26 October 2015 08:07 AM

Not them but the profitting was by the organisers connected to the R family who skimmed off the performers and other suppliers.

lankaman Monday, 26 October 2015 09:23 AM

OK, so who stole the remaining 8.1 million?

BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 26 October 2015 10:01 AM

6.8m is still far too high for a dancing troop performance for the opening ceremony.

Sincere Monday, 26 October 2015 06:56 PM

"natapu natumakuth natha, bere paluwakuth natha" nav enneth natha!

Dhanapala Tuesday, 27 October 2015 11:37 AM

Even 6.8m is a high cost for such event. But Ports Authority is accountable and answerable rather than artistes.

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Channa and Upuli deny charging Rs. 15m

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