Gotabaya Rajapaksa. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Sri Lanka’s former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been questioned by police over the invention of a considerable amount of money in his office-cum-residence when he fled the nation for security as 1000’s of protesters stormed the place in July final yr.
“A three-hour long statement was recorded on Monday at his private house as directed by the court,” police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa advised reporters.
The protesters who occupied the President’s House within the capital in July final yr mentioned that they’d found over 17 million rupees in money and handed over the cash to the Colombo Fort police.
The police reported the matter to the court docket, which ordered an announcement to be recorded from Rajapaksa on the invention of money.
The 73-year-old former President fled Sri Lanka on July 13 final yr to the Maldives. From there, he travelled to Singapore from the place he despatched in his resignation on July 14, paving the best way for the incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe to take over the Presidential reins. Later, Mr. Rajapaksa flew to Thailand. He returned dwelling on September 2.
Mr. Rajapaksa and his household confronted a number of accusations of wrongdoing between 2015-2019. After he turned President in November 2019, one such case, alleged misuse of public funds to erect a monument for his dad and mom, was dropped primarily based on the presidential immunity.
Lawyers say the case can now be reopened as he not enjoys presidential immunity. The Rajapaksa household has dominated Sri Lankan politics for over 20 years. Mahinda Rajapaksa, the 76-year-old patriarch of the Rajapaksa household has been the nation’s President and Prime Minister.
Source: www.thehindu.com
