Gota rejects account allegation

19 January 2015 11:44 pm - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaska yesterday rejected allegations of holding an account at the Bank of Ceylon Taprobane Branch with a balance of Rs.8 billion.

He said it was an official account set up with cabinet approval with the funds to be spent for the construction of the Army headquarters building at Pelawatta

Mr. Rajapaska’s statement follows:

“An allegation has been levelled against me that I have an account in the Taprobane Branch of the Bank of Ceylon with a balance of Rs.8 billion. This is grossly misleading and appears to discredit my reputation with ulterior motive. As I know there is an Operational Account held with the Bank of Ceylon Taprobane Branch dedicated for the use of financing the construction of Army headquarters building at Pelawatta. “This account was created with the Approval of the Cabinet from the revenue from the sale of land at Galle Face, Colombo where the Army headquarters was located. After the relocation and construction work was started, withdrawals were to be made from it based on the progress of the construction work undertaken by various contractors and suppliers. The account is operated by the Chief Accountant and other authorized officials of the Ministry of Defence under the overall supervision of the Secretary of Defence.

“All cheques are issued with two signatures upon the receipts of certified payment vouchers. As I recall, the Account was open with the total receipts of about Rs.20 billion in 2011 and withdrawals have been made each year thereafter for the payment of certified claims from contractors. Names and signatures of Authorized persons are available with the Bank and chief Accountant of the ministry. The balance as at the last day of my holding office was certainly over Rs.8 billion. The figures can be verified from the Treasury as annual deposit balance is reported to the Government balance Sheet.

“As I have ceased to be the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, my successor is the automatic custodian of that Account and he can verify all these. My name appears in the signature card in my capacity as secretary Defence along with other authorized officials and hence it has nothing to do with my personal account. Therefore, there is no truth whatsoever that I have a personal account in the Bank of Ceylon with Rs.8 billion. I deny this completely and request the Secretary to verify this with the bank and the Treasury and disclose the correct situation on this account.”

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Comments - 11

Sujith Tuesday, 20 January 2015 09:15 AM

We have a Minister of Finance who does not know about Personal Accounts and cooperate Accounts.

Pramod Fernando Tuesday, 20 January 2015 12:49 PM

Dear Sir, please explain this in Sinhalese as well so that the ordinary people will understand the real truth. Specially for those who believe everything they listen to on radio and TV.

Viktor Tuesday, 20 January 2015 12:58 PM

The land sold was state land and there is no basis for the money to have been kept in a bank account. It should have been sent to the Treasury and claimed when required. By not paying in the 12 billion and similar huge sums held in Rajapakse "official accounts", the Treasury was forced to borrow to meet its expenditure

malkan Tuesday, 20 January 2015 03:16 PM

My car my petrol era is over. To investigate the rampant corruption the six years period is not sufficient.

Pissu Jacoob Tuesday, 20 January 2015 08:37 AM

This guy has fallen into the trap. Everybody knew that was an official account and from the capacity of Secretary he was an official signatory. Since he has issued a statement on this issue, he is now forced to issue statements to each and every activity alleged against him in the near future. This guy will find it difficult to deny quite a few

Maina Tuesday, 20 January 2015 08:42 AM

A good reply. Accusation are good only if they are based on credible facts

Asanka Tuesday, 20 January 2015 08:49 AM

Gota Still talk to the point!, anyone should be careful before making any allegations and should have fact to prove it. otherwise it will bring discredit to the person who made pointless allegations.

CMAX Tuesday, 20 January 2015 08:51 AM

The work you done is immensely-appreciated and well said.We need go geters like you for this nation.Not planners but implementer s.

pras Tuesday, 20 January 2015 03:45 PM

when we here da word Gota dats nothing but RESPECT via DM Android App

srian de silva Wednesday, 21 January 2015 09:50 AM

It is the same man who got confused with Killinochchi and Medawadhchiya!!!!!!!!!!

sach Tuesday, 20 January 2015 09:05 AM

you mean implementing without planing? like mattala?

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Gota rejects account allegation

Comments - 11

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