Investigations against Gotabhaya on bribery charges commences

(LeN-2007 March 30, 8.00pm) Chairman of the Bribery and Corruption commission Ameer Ismile speaking to 'LeN' said investigations have begun to the case filed by former Ministers Mangala and Sripathi regarding a fraud of 600 million rupees when performing a MIG deal by Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse and relative of President Udaya Weeratunga.

When 'LeN' questioned why a number of cases filed against several politicians are not being brought before the law the chairman said all the cases are being investigated, but if the investigators are unable to prove the charges, the relevant files will be closed after a final evaluation. He said according to the law there isn�t a need to bring all the cases before the court.

The chairman said that there are several inaccuracies in the Bribery act. He said this has been brought to the notice of the relevant parties and added that "no one cares for what we say".

He said before 1994 the commission had the right to investigate all cases filed and even the closed files, but lost that right after 1994. He said they are very careful about what they investigate as the IGP had to pay 100,000 rupees as compensation for investigating the Helping Hambantota case.