Bribery Commission decides not to take further legal action

19 October 2023 10:50 am - 48 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Bribery Commission has informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court that it will not take further legal action into the sum of Rs. 17.85 million recovered from the President's House on July 9, 2022.

The Bribery Commission had earlier informed the court that it had commenced an investigation into the incident pursuant to a complaint lodged by the Puravesi Balaya Organisation.

However, the Bribery Commission on Wednesday (18) informed the court that further legal proceedings regarding this incident will not be taken owing to insufficient evidence to proceed with the matter.

On a previous occasion, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa through his lawyer claimed his rights to the amount of Rs. 17.85 million recovered from the President's House.

However, the defence counsel raised objections to releasing the said amount to the former President and said prosecution has to ascertain whether there are offences committed under the Money Laundering Act and Bribery Act.

The CID had told the court that they had recorded a statement from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 6th February regarding the 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 the money found inside the President’s Office belonged to him but he was unable to take care of them due to the prevailing security situation at that time. 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. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

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Comments - 48

Bandu Thursday, 19 October 2023 11:13 AM

But where did the ex-Prez get the money - from which govt account? Or from another Daisy Archchige Manik Malla. Oh Justice where have you gone?

Jayantha Thursday, 19 October 2023 11:26 AM

178 lakhs in ready cash. What a joke. If some innocent fellow had even say 10lakshs in cash loads of questions will be asked and never release it. How come he keeps that much in cash. He could have put it in bank know. See how the law bends. Still imf jokers funding these crooks. Lol. All are corrupt. Nothing else.

Punchi Thursday, 19 October 2023 11:38 AM

Not surprisingly that an audited money trail like bank withdrawals was not asked for. This is further vindication of the IMF reporting that our paradise is not meeting the requirements for managing corruption.

SamG Thursday, 19 October 2023 11:44 AM

The country, its legal system and the administration, has gone to the dogs.. a president who claims to millions of money found laying inside his mansions says its no fraud. What a joke!! I don't understand why the general srilankan is taken as a fool.

Gune Thursday, 19 October 2023 06:55 PM

Very true. This is a country people ask educated people to stay and live in. You got to be nuts to live here. Everything is wrong in this wonderland.

joshua Thursday, 19 October 2023 11:49 AM

This is Great Justice of Sri Lanka. There is always no evidence anything against Rajapkashes and their stooges. They will all have a separate hell waiting for them.

mun okkoma horu Thursday, 19 October 2023 12:16 PM

Bribery commission is there to catch poor innocent people. How did Gota get this money?

CITIZEN Thursday, 19 October 2023 12:35 PM

Does this mean the money will be given back to the former President? In that case I suggest that the money be handed over to him ceremonially at a State function with the usual pomp and pageantry! After all, he should have some consolation for having suffered a pain of mind!!

Mahila Friday, 20 October 2023 01:18 AM

Good idea, as good as GR’s idea to donate these funds, “He (GR) 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.” GR’s sense of compassion, Generosity, whose properties destroyed!!!??? Though all his ‘BACKERS”, somewhat LUDICROUS, self-serving indeed!!!??? Commendable idea!!!??? Nevertheless - demand UNTRAMMELLED INTROSPECTION find out how these, “supposed victims of Protestors of ARGALAYA” became victims, and ‘THEIR WEALTH’, through scrupulous examination, Income inflow of individuals!!!??? This is a MUST DO ACT, WITHOUT EXCEPTION!!!??? If “Income Inflow, found INSUFFICIENT, Acquire and Maintain “properties damaged”, then CRIMINAL PROCEEDING INITIATED, those UNPATRIOTIC “PURPORTED VICTIMS” of ARAGALAYA, for illicit ACQUISITION of FUNDS - 'LUCRE'!!!??? And nothing short of it!!!???

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 19 October 2023 01:03 PM

We have so many sweet guys in the State Machinery. Bribery Commission do not want to take any action on the 17.85m due to lack of evidence. So next time they find 1m US$ in any Rajapakse abord, obviously there will be a lack of evidence even though they detect the money and there is no indication why it is there. How sweet. We also have a sweet Justice System who delay giving decisions on cases where Politicians are involved like Weerawansa and his wife or MP Diana.

Anura Hettiarachchi Thursday, 19 October 2023 01:16 PM

The Best Bribery Commission of the Globe . Long Live with our blessings!!!!!!

Sam Silva Thursday, 19 October 2023 05:59 PM

It could be bribery commission or any other does not matter. All the government appointees are crooks and serve the crooks. We all need to wake up. It's going to get worse.

Mokan Thursday, 19 October 2023 01:25 PM

Where did he get the money from. Did he pay Tax

N.Canags Thursday, 19 October 2023 01:46 PM

Yes, it's safe to keep out of it as the white van may haunt you down in time to come.

Onlooker Thursday, 19 October 2023 01:48 PM

Are we surprised - No. This is how it works. Possibly given to him by Daisy Achchi from her family jewels. Is he paying taxes on how he got this money.

Rex Jarkie Thursday, 19 October 2023 02:11 PM

WHAT'S REASON MUST HAVE REASON NOT PROCEED NO LAME EXCUSES

Rohan Prithiviraj Perera Thursday, 19 October 2023 02:18 PM

1. He must account for how he got such an amount of money. 2. The peoples houses were damaged later during the day and in some instances, a day or two later and he ran away leaving behind the money much earlier during the day. So, did he know beforehand that the houses will be damaged ??? What a joke ??? Absolutely brazen and disgusting!!

Mahila Friday, 20 October 2023 01:23 AM

Divine Intervention or by Kali Amma!!! NEUTRALISE EVIL PROTESTORS!!!???

Nimal Thursday, 19 October 2023 02:36 PM

Is this what is meant by "one country, one law"?

Mokan Thursday, 19 October 2023 02:52 PM

This is the law of inefficient CID and AG

Briber Thursday, 19 October 2023 03:11 PM

Did the Pakses chap you tell from where he got the money? What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Gon namba Thursday, 19 October 2023 03:12 PM

Surely that money wasn't earned but robbed probably by way of bribes. What is the bribery commission doing? Did they ever question Gota. How could they say there is no evidence? Naduth, baduth hamuduruwange, kaata kiyannada mae awanaduwa.

Hard Truth Thursday, 19 October 2023 03:26 PM

Comedy Lanka.. "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. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)"

Premalal Perera Thursday, 19 October 2023 03:53 PM

This country has no hope.

P.P.Jeganathan Thursday, 19 October 2023 03:53 PM

Why can't it be the money of the former president? He could have his savings with him and left it because of the security situation. If he had taken it with him no one can raise objections now. 178 laks is not a big money for a person who lived in USA and was employed . Also his son is living there. I am not a supporter of him but why should people think that it is something he got it through illegal means. Please think in a balanced manner..

Pavithra Oorudeniya Thursday, 19 October 2023 04:01 PM

WUNDERPUL SIRI LANGA! Go ahead towards its progress with thieves and corrupted people until sinks!

People Thursday, 19 October 2023 04:24 PM

OMG!! What sort of laws do we have in this country??!! Pathetic and disgusting!!

Disgusted Citizens Thursday, 19 October 2023 04:26 PM

So distribute people's money among the people, rightfully, only because the money was discovered by someone else, not otherwise!!

Nihal S Thursday, 19 October 2023 04:31 PM

How did he get money? Definitely commission or bribes - this is how Rajapakse got so rich. Will this money be returned to Gota?

Grace Thursday, 19 October 2023 05:01 PM

May be the amount was not received through fraudulent means but a monetary gift from from his partymen.

Chris Thursday, 19 October 2023 05:05 PM

To distribute to those whose houses were burnt?? What a joke. Those were not normal houses owned by political crooks who built mansions. What a justice system we have in sri Lanka.

Jagath Ekanaya Thursday, 19 October 2023 05:54 PM

We need a anti-bribery commitee investigate the bribery commitee.

Proud Boy Thursday, 19 October 2023 06:04 PM

Thank you RW your level of intervention to protect the Rajapakse’s is something even the Rajapakse Family didn’t bargain for. How twisted everything in SL is for the rich and powerful.

Natalie Nanayaka Thursday, 19 October 2023 06:23 PM

Rajapaksas bribed the bribery commitee it seems.

DJ Thursday, 19 October 2023 06:52 PM

The bribery commission is corrupt to the top level.

Alam Thursday, 19 October 2023 06:59 PM

Daisies gems

Ahamed Thursday, 19 October 2023 07:14 PM

So far what they have done? or finally came to know the hero is in trouble so want to stop?

Samntha Thursday, 19 October 2023 07:42 PM

What else the citizens can expect from an inept and corrupt judiciary system installed by thieves themselves.

Prof Senaratne Thursday, 19 October 2023 07:51 PM

Rohan Prithiviraj Perera, Actually houses of local politicians were damaged on May 9th, 2 months before he went away. He has given some money to some but not all. He has told he got the money from the party fund but that has to be investigated. Did they ask Party treasurer for proof?

john frazer Thursday, 19 October 2023 07:57 PM

This is what we calle 3rd world country investiagtion.

Andare Thursday, 19 October 2023 08:01 PM

Way to go Bribery commission. You are a great example to the whole world.

Tharmar K Thursday, 19 October 2023 08:26 PM

The JVP should target these corrupt officials and publish their name. So the people of Srilanka knows who are these criminals who get salary from tax payers and not do their job.

ACA Thursday, 19 October 2023 08:56 PM

Failed sir has claimed the money, did the commission asked how he got this money and proof?

Buddhist Thursday, 19 October 2023 09:33 PM

Was proof requested by the courts to find out how he got such a large amount of money? Are the courts so inefficient?

Anthony. R Thursday, 19 October 2023 09:45 PM

What a joke, Rs 17.85 Million fell from heaven, to give to those,whose houses were damaged even before it could ever happened, was damaging the houses , preplanned by the Ex President,? comedies . Inland revenue please review any tax paid? Disgusting lame excuses

Mohamed Adham Friday, 20 October 2023 10:25 AM

Would the IRD tell us from where Gota obtained this huge amount, now that he has claimed that it is his money ???? Or is the IRD only for ordinary citizens.

citizen Friday, 20 October 2023 10:54 AM

What a country we live in God help us!

Maxwell Friday, 20 October 2023 02:50 PM

This sum is peanuts for the Rajapakses` and can be washed down their toilets for all they care. They are said to have scammed commissions from international funding to such an extent that this is just a pittance. If not, why was such a lot of cash in a home cupboard and not in a bank? The Bribery commission is probably as corrupt. No surprise here.

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Bribery Commission decides not to take further legal action

Comments - 48

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