Basil’s deals probed for fraud

by Jaliya Wijeyekoon

The government will conduct investigations on the alleged financial frauds of former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, whether he quits politics or not Policy Planning, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth and Cultural Affairs Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva said.

Former Petroleum Industries Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena said that former Minister Rajapaksa who is in the US had told him over the phone that he was contemplating quitting politics as he was thoroughly disillusioned with politics in the country.

Gunewardene said the former minister who had sought three months leave from Parliament earlier, had told him that he did not hope to come back to the country in the near future.

Dr. de Silva said there have been many financial irregularities and allegations of fraud against the former Economic Development Ministry handled by Rajapaksa.

Referring to a bathing well project by the previous regime, he said; “I have a file with me relating to monies allocated for a bathing well repairing project in the villages by the former minister.

“They had spent Rs 500,000 to repair one well and not to dig. It would roughly cost Rs 30,000 - 50,000 at the most to repair such a well.”

“If this is happened for a small project at the grass roots level, imagine what may have taken place in the mega projects handled by the ministry,” Dr. de Silva said and added that the lions share of the large scale development projects in the country at the time were handled under the purview of Minister Rajapaksa.

“If Minister Rajapaksa is charged in court over any fraud, the government will not hesitate to seek international law enforcement assistance to bring him back to face the charges,” Dr. de Silva said. Commenting on Minister Rajapaksa’s desire to quit politics the, Deputy Minister said; “If he has a backbone, he should have stayed back and supported his brother instead of fleeing the country.”